Microlighters

hi all,

i am told that a transponder must be fitted to your trike if you fly in and around controlled space i.e to and from Brakpan Airfield, where and who can shed some light on where to get transponder, and eish man, rerig do i have to have one, i believe they are pretty expensive

Hi Buks, if you want to fly at Brakpan then you do need a transponder, being so close to OR Tambo. Transponders are also required at the big airports like Virginia and Lanseria. But for most other airports they are not required. Rand for instance (although controlled airspace) does not require a transponder.

I have a transponder in my airy, as it does add to safety. The big fast planes can see you and air traffic controllers can see you. Just recently a passenger aircraft had a close call on finals to Lanseria with a GA plane. If the plane had a transponder the jet would have known about him.

They are expensive, but could save your life.

Cheers

Willem

I have sufficient experience to do a article about transponders with regards to trikes, What do you wish to know specifically? Talk to any Ballito pilot as the fitment is mandatory. Or contact me and i can advise accordingly. Many issues with regards to the installation.

Ag Kom nou OOM ZULU....

Give us a little bit more info. What transponder would you suggest and at what cost?

I will do an article and submit to Tailspin for posting. Trig mode S are the units at Ballito..

HAHA, thats right Christo

oom Zulu Paul i am so poor can't even pay attention for the sake of safety i agree must have, but want to pay as little as possible and get the best lets start somwhere and work to something that is effective for a trike, no flying at Rhino park this weekend the wind is hectic

BUKS VAN NIEKERK wrote:HAHA, thats right Christo

oom Zulu Paul i am so poor can't even pay attention for the sake of safety i agree must have, but want to pay as little as possible and get the best lets start somwhere and work to something that is effective for a trike, no flying at Rhino park this weekend the wind is hectic

Post frontal conditions are usually awesome - Sunday morning is predicted to be great .

Hi Buks, for what it's worth - mode S is not mandatory, and you pay a premuim for this. I am told that at this stage there is no pending legislation that will make mode S compulsory. I was conned into buying a mode S, my own fault for not doing sufficient research, and after 6 years, I have still not activated the mode S capability.

Second hand transponders can be got on Ebay for as little as R2 000 - you however take your chances, and they are typically are not suitable for open cockpit planes unless you install them in a water proof / water tight housing.

For the sake of correctness - Virginia does not require aircraft to be equipped with transponders, however, the most convenient and scenic way of getting to Virginia from the North is along the coast, and transitting King Shaka airspace does require a transponder, otherwise approach Virginia via Alverston Tower and Coopers Lighthouse.

We are suppliers of the Sandia STX165 transponders. Encoder is build in and only requires 2 power wires and a transponder aerial.

See their website. http://www.sandia.aero/?q=STX165

thanks guys,

thanks KFA, the STX165 seem brilliant and easy to operate, i thinks is worth investigating into something that is a less expensive, the big thing for the transponder is to avoid getting in the way of faster aircraft, and for ATC to see where you are, iam under correction here,but did Herman Dotmelh not develop something simmilair?, i think Oom Zulu is going to come up with something, i hope, it yust seem to be the right thing to have on a slow flying trike

of course it is the pce of kid that we as trikers all feel would open up so many more positive & saftey issues, but yes what will it cost in rands, supplied & fitted. paul cant wait for ur write up on subject. kindly steve

KFA wrote:We are suppliers of the Sandia STX165 transponders. Encoder is build in and only requires 2 power wires and a transponder aerial.

See their website. http://www.sandia.aero/?q=STX165

What does it cost?

I should be able to land them for around 1400-1500USD.

Hi Buks, there is no such thing as a cheap transponder as ALL transponders need to be certified, hence the reason MGL decided to abandon their transponder effort. As far as I remember the development was mostly completed but the cost of certification was prohibitve and Rainier decide that it was cheaper to use one that is certified already.

I heard a birdy squeal that txponders will be compulsory in all controlled airspace sooner than we think... just wish I could confirm this!

John Boucher wrote:I heard a birdy squeal that txponders will be compulsory in all controlled airspace sooner than we think... just wish I could confirm this!

That would be devastating news....I hope the birdie is wrong.