JasonC wrote:
chflyer wrote:Yes, but tailBeaconX is 1090MHz with built-in GPS & diversity. Currently experimental, but STC pending (announced for mid-2020, but I don’t believe that). A very interesting product for under $3’000 plus control head (AV-20-E @$900, AV-30-E @$1600, or GRT or MGL EFIS …. Avidyne soon ?). Supports RS232/2400bps81N plus protocols UCP, SL-70, or STX-165R whatever that is).
They are approved diversity transponders
Yes Jason.
Only installable in experimentals at the moment, but the STC will follow quickly. I suspect that the tailBeaconX development has been driven by the Canadian situation. Canada will not build out a ground-based network similar to the US. Instead, they are mandating diversity to allow use of the Aireon satellite network. I believe the dates have slipped a bit but the regulatory rollout will be in 3 phases with low-level GA last, starting in 2021 I believe. Primary emphasis is on airline and jet traffic to allow reduced separation and more traffic. This is actually a win-win situation, as it gives radar-equivalent or better coverage and may well allow radar phase-out as that equipment ages and needs replacement. For GA, it might also allow elimination long-term of the mandatory ELT requirement.
may well allow radar phase-out as that equipment ages and needs replacement.
I think this proposition has been through multiple “life cycles”, each one terminating when it is realised that when the [insert your favourite enemy] invades, they won’t be radiating ADS-B 
If you want to get rid of some radars, while maintaining national security, the proper way is to integrate the military network with the civilian network.
Clearly the military will maintain their radar capability. Shutting that down was not being suggested, and I don’t see how military considerations (foreign invasion) are relevant to use of ADS-B to replace civilian radar.
Integration of military and civilian ATC makes sense in a small country like Switzerland. I don’t know for sure to what degree civilian and military ATC are integrated in Canada, but believe they are independent.
Sure, integration of civilian and military infrastructure would allow reduction in civilian radar capability, but with ADS-B available what would it bring to civilian ATC? If it brought a lot, then civil ATC would already have full Canadian radar coverage which they certainly do not (assuming the military do).
chflyer wrote:
I don’t know for sure to what degree civilian and military ATC are integrated in Canada, but believe they are independent.
In non-restricted airspace I believe there is only one ATC system in Canada, as in the US. Participating VFR traffic is integrated into that single ATC system in the US, but I think Canada may operate a separate VFR only non-ATC flight information system. That may be incorrect, I’ve never flown in Canada.
Canadian radar coverage is complete at the edges, but not the middle of their airspace, e.g. through NORAD.
Aircrafts exeeding 5700 kg MTOW or 250 kt TAS
