Apparently the uavionix echoUAT I have is failing. No idea the vintage of this unit, but the echoUAT was first released in 2017, and is now discontinued. I'd believe this is the result of an early now out-of-warranty unit having a defect. Not only has it refused a configuration update to a new tail number (long story there, I knew of this particular issue before buying, but assumed the issue could be fixed by having support reprogram it using JTAG - which didn't work), but it also periodically stops transmitting. The other day, I had an rtl-sdr with appropriate antenna literally feet away from the transponder. Running the transponder + dump1090 on a laptop for ~10 minutes, I never picked up any ads-b packets from my plane. I picked up plenty of packets from other aircraft, so I know the receiver was working. Uavionix support has directly told me that the unit is failing, and I'll believe them on this.

I absolutely did not want to have to start replacing (parts of) the panel this early into ownership. I was planning on replacing the panel at some point (Not with Garmin parts - Garmin is too rich for my blood), but not for at least another year or two. But now I'm wondering if I should do a piecewise upgrade starting now instead of an all-at-once replacement down the line. It seems that (almost?) nobody is making these UAT add-ons anymore, in favor of transponders with built-in ads-b out. I don't mind buying a used echoUAT, but a) I can't find one, and b) given how expensive aviation is, I'd rather not buy something that's discontinued given that long-term support will be questionable. My existing mode-s only transponder works perfectly fine other than the lack of ads-b out. I'd prefer not to replace an otherwise perfectly functioning unit. But if that's going to be the best option support-wise, then maybe I should just get a transponder that'll do ads-b out + a separate ads-b receiver? I've so far only found two companies that make mode s + ads-b out + ads-b in transponders: Garmin and uavionix. And neither of those offerings are appealing to me, to say the least.

#avgeek #aviation #ExperimentalAviation #AirplaneOwnership

Remember that RV-10 I was building? It's still there. Now that I've recovered from my burnout I started working on the elevator again. I was starting to prepare the ribs and other interior parts for primer by roughing up the surface. The ribs are made from two pieces and so I put on a twitch stream and just started working on parts. I got most of them done.

Next steps are to finish the ribs, rough up the interior of the skins, prime everything (except where the foam ribs get bonded), bond the foam ribs, then riveting. Once this elevator is done I get the pleasure of doing it all again.

#experimentalAviation #kitplane #homebuilt #avgeek #rv10

The glider battery is nearing the end of its charging cycle.

The battery management system has told the charger to reduce charging current while the 14 cells are being balanced to the same voltage. In this photo some cells are properly balanced, but not all. Once all the LED's go out, then all cells are properly balanced and the charging is complete.

#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #ExperimentalAviation #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Battery #Lithium

Successful indoor low-power test of the glider's electric motor system.

(I need to tidy up some wiring, but everything is working nominally.)

The first two comments will contain short, somewhat boring videos of these indoor tests.

Soon, I'll move the fuselage outdoors, tie it down securely, add the propeller and spinner, and test at higher power levels. (Max current that the controller will deliver is 200 amps.)

#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #ExperimentalAviation #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #Oshkosh #EAA

Installing the electric motor in the nose of the glider.

The motor is not large, but can deliver 23Kw max power briefly during takeoff and initial climb.

It is mounted to a bulkhead with viscoelastic pucks that help absorb some vibration.

The final photo shows the motor in place, but the propellor blades and spinner have not yet been installed. It also shows a cowl flap for motor cooling...which is an unusual feature on a glider.

https://front-electric-sustainer.com/

#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #ExperimentalAviation #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #Oshkosh #EAA

@Aut @younata

Did DBT Aero (double box tail design, used to be called Synergy Aircraft) have a tent/booth at Oshkosh? Did they show any hardware? Or did they just make their announcement for their 2-seat version?

https://dbt.aero/

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2025-07-21/dbt-aero-introduces-two-seat-double-box-tail-airplane

#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #ExperimentalAviation #Homebuilt #DIY #Oshkosh #EAA