AvTraffic™ air traffic conflict monitoring and alerting app for iPhone and iPad.

[skippydiesel]

Thanks Coljones,

 

As far as I can work out/understand,my SK2 has been programed & is being operated as per instructions. The question still remains, is it functioning as expected?

PapaFox (above) seems to think so.

 

"2. If your mode S transponder is transmitting ADSB (ADSB-Out) you need to disable the SE2 transmit function."

 

I am advised (by CASA) that there is no conflict between my Trig ADSB Mode S OUT transponder operation & the SK2.

 

😈

[Thruster88]

25 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Thanks Coljones,

 

As far as I can work out/understand,my SK2 has been programed & is being operated as per instructions. The question still remains, is it functioning as expected?

PapaFox (above) seems to think so.

 

"2. If your mode S transponder is transmitting ADSB (ADSB-Out) you need to disable the SE2 transmit function."

 

I am advised (by CASA) that there is no conflict between my Trig ADSB Mode S OUT transponder operation & the SK2.

 

😈

Is your trigg adsb out ? That is the question.  To be adsb out it must have  GPS input. Simple way to find out is, as i have said before, disable the transmit function on the SkyEcho2,  go flying, if your traffic screen is not showing your aircraft all the time then your trigg is not adsb out.

 

When I am flying the RV6 with the SkyEcho2 only used for IN, ie transmit disabled,  I see my tailbeaconX adsb out transponder all the time. It is a brilliant system because it continuously shows both the out and in is working correctly. 

[coljones]

1 hour ago, skippydiesel said:

Thanks Coljones,

 

As far as I can work out/understand,my SK2 has been programed & is being operated as per instructions. The question still remains, is it functioning as expected?

PapaFox (above) seems to think so.

 

"2. If your mode S transponder is transmitting ADSB (ADSB-Out) you need to disable the SE2 transmit function."

 

I am advised (by CASA) that there is no conflict between my Trig ADSB Mode S OUT transponder operation & the SK2.

 

😈

Is it an SK2 or SE2?

 

There is a CASA Publication AC 91-23 about ADS-B

https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/advisory-circular-91-23-ads-b-enhancing-situational-awareness.pdf

 

That is worth a read. A o g other things it says you can run a transponder and an ADSB-Out at the same time but only if there is only one GPS positional source. So if you have mode S transponder with an a time ASDB-Out source you can't run an SE2 transmitting ADSB-Out info.

 

I would chat to the RAAus Techman as well.

 

[coljones]

On 25/01/2026 at 10:05 AM, PapaFox said:

Skip, looking at the flight track log on FlightAware, the data points listed are flagged for their source. Your flights are recorded with a  mix of both ADS-B (therefore SkyEcho is working) and MLAT triangulation (therefore mode S is working). All appears good. Just remember that these web-based sites (Flight Radar24 and Flight Aware) rely on a network of ground based private receivers without complete coverage, and the Sky Echo transmission distance is short and very susceptible to position shadow from your own aircraft, hence some gaps and errors in the recorded logs.

I was of the understanding that Skip has a working (?) Mode S Trig transponder with an ADSB-Out capability as well as an SE2. There is some ADSB reception and some MLAT but we dont know the source - Trig or SE2. There is also a callsigns of 1200, 19-2041 and 2041 in the mix. The only way to remove this is to turn off the transmit function of SE2 so that there is only one source of ADSB info being captured.

[BurnieM]

My understanding is that Skippys Trig transponder has no GPS source and is therefore transmitting mode S only (not ADS-B out).

 

Edited January 26 by BurnieM

[skippydiesel]

12 hours ago, coljones said:

I was of the understanding that Skip has a working (?) Mode S Trig transponder with an ADSB-Out capability as well as an SE2. There is some ADSB reception and some MLAT but we dont know the source - Trig or SE2. There is also a callsigns of 1200, 19-2041 and 2041 in the mix. The only way to remove this is to turn off the transmit function of SE2 so that there is only one source of ADSB info being captured.

Corrcet!

However, the Trig,  I understand(?) that the ADSB (extended squitter/GPS) capability has not been activated so just Mode S OUT.😈

[skippydiesel]

12 hours ago, coljones said:

Is it an SK2 or SE2?

 

SE2 - my dyslexia coming out😈

 

[skippydiesel]

Gentlefolk,

 

All is well with my SE2,  thanks to terrific help from AvTraffic technical support.

• Turns out I had miss understood one vital set up instruction - In Set UP for the line ASB In  Capability: - I ticked UAT (as I had for 1090ES Transmit:) instead of 1090ES.
• Also helped with fine tuning the AvTraffic set up

AvTraffic technical support provide a service well above & beyond, what has become the norm these days - FIVE STARS from me.😈

 

[BrendAn]

warning, i am deflecting the topic for a minute.

last week i was looking at oz runways on my phone and 4 firebombers were on there flying around the alpine fires.

then i switched to flight radar and none of them were on there. don't they use transponders.

[Thruster88]

7 hours ago, BrendAn said:

warning, i am deflecting the topic for a minute.

last week i was looking at oz runways on my phone and 4 firebombers were on there flying around the alpine fires.

then i switched to flight radar and none of them were on there. don't they use transponders.

Not all single engine fire bombers, example Airtractor 802's have adsb, some will have a mode C transponder which only ATC or TCAS can see.

[skippydiesel]

ADS-B installation in (Au) VFR aircraft is a total shambles. 

Only (Au) IFR aircraft are required to have ADS-B fitted.

A VFR aircraft that does not enter controlled airspace, is not required to have  a transponder at all, even if flying in the congested Training Area airspace of one of our capital cities.

Perversely, legacy transponders (Mode C etc) are still "legal" for entry to controlled airspace - This acts as a disincentive to replace them with ADS-B.

I have come across at least two aircraft , operating in the congested Sydney Basin, that would seem to be using a legacy transponder.

 

The mid air collision that occurred at The Oaks was between a Cessna & a Jabiru. Cessna fitted with legacy transponder, Jab with OzRunways/SE2 . Neither aircraft "saw" the other.😈

[Moneybox]

If you don't get an audible warning that other aircraft are nearby you'd have to be looking at the instrument instead of out the window.

[BurnieM]

On 30/01/2026 at 9:11 AM, skippydiesel said:

ADS-B installation in (Au) VFR aircraft is a total shambles. 

Only (Au) IFR aircraft are required to have ADS-B fitted.

A VFR aircraft that does not enter controlled airspace, is not required to have  a transponder at all, even if flying in the congested Training Area airspace of one of our capital cities.

Perversely, legacy transponders (Mode C etc) are still "legal" for entry to controlled airspace - This acts as a disincentive to replace them with ADS-B.

I have come across at least two aircraft , operating in the congested Sydney Basin, that would seem to be using a legacy transponder.

 

The mid air collision that occurred at The Oaks was between a Cessna & a Jabiru. Cessna fitted with legacy transponder, Jab with OzRunways/SE2 . Neither aircraft "saw" the other.😈

 

This is all correct but not helpful.

 

Are you suggesting that all aircraft entering class C/D airspace should have a ADS-B out transponder ?

Sounds like a good idea to me but I can guarantee you will have at least 5000 loud complaints due to the cost.

How do you propose to convince your fellow pilots ?

 

Is this adequate ?

A better option would be all aircraft to have ADS-B out/in transponders with audio alerts in all areas.

Your loud complaints just went up to 20,000 fellow pilots.

Actually probably 30,000 when they realise the Skyecho would not be accepted.

 

What is your plan ?

 

Edited Saturday at 12:10 AM by BurnieM

[Garfly]

 

This gives a clue as to the Fed's plan:

 

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/potential-future-expansion-automatic-dependent-surveillance-broadcast-ads-b-mandate-in-australia-consultation-paper-september2025.pdf

 

 

AI Overview:

 

Airservices Australia is moving towards a fully digital, high-coverage surveillance environment, with plans to expand ADS-B OUT mandates to all aircraft, including general aviation and drones, to enhance safety and efficiency. Proposed changes suggest mandating ADS-B OUT for all VFR aircraft and integrating ADS-B IN by 2028–2033 to enable advanced, real-time tracking of all airspace users. 

Key Future Developments for ADS-B in Australia:

• Mandate Expansion: The Australian government is reviewing an expanded mandate requiring ADS-B OUT for all aircraft, including Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in Class G airspace, potentially beyond 2033.
• ADS-B IN Requirement: To improve situational awareness, the industry is moving towards a requirement for ADS-B IN capability, particularly for drones and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, with proposals for 2028.
• Drone Integration (UTM): Airservices is developing a Flight Information Management System (FIMS) to integrate drone surveillance with conventional air traffic services, using ADS-B to track drones and advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.
• Electronic Conspicuity (EC): The use of approved EC devices (like SkyEcho2) is being considered to satisfy future, lower-cost ADS-B OUT/IN requirements for lighter aircraft.
• Enhanced Coverage: Airservices has established, and is expanding, widespread ADS-B ground station coverage to enhance surveillance in remote areas and near the surface. 

 

[skippydiesel]

17 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

 

This is all correct but not helpful. Your point ????

 

Are you suggesting that all aircraft entering class C/D airspace should have a ADS-B out transponder ? For now yes! For flight in congested airspace, no matter its designation.

Sounds like a good idea to me but I can guarantee you will have at least 5000 loud complaints due to the cost. So? Technology has given us a cost effective (ADS-B IN/OUT) improvements on safety, that can only be fully expressed if all aircraft  have the technology . This is where the relevant authority does need to mandate (see Garfly's post above.)

How do you propose to convince your fellow pilots ? (see Garfly's post).

 

Is this adequate ? Is what adequate?

A better option would be all aircraft to have ADS-B out/in transponders with audio alerts in all areas. Agreed 

Your loud complaints just went up to 20,000 fellow pilots. Your point ???

Actually probably 30,000 when they realise the Skyecho would not be accepted. SE 2 has been accepted in a number of countries, including Australia. What information do you have to the contrary?

 

What is your plan ? (see Garfly's post).

 

BernieM - I don't really understand where you are coming from in this post . 😈

 

[skippydiesel]

Saga continues.

 

Managed a 1.7 hr flight with new daughter in law today. 30C on ground - 14C @ 6500' - very nice.

Spectacular view to south & east. Sydney (north) obscured by what, I assume, is fire smoke. 

First problem - pax headset not working properly. No need for pax to hear anything.

Departed - The Oaks - Wedderburn (3500")- Port Kembla (500' beach run south) - Shellharbour - (6500') Mittagong (some additional mucking about Burragorang Dam/Lake)- The Oaks (2500' - down to circuit ht 1900' - Landed). 

Once again - no aircraft close enough to test AvTraffic and headset Bluetooth adapter

 

I have one more hour flying before  the 200 hr service, that will take me considerable time to work through the schedule, so don't know if I am going to prove/disprove the AvTraffic/Bluetooth any time soon😈