Appareo cuts price of Stratus ESG transponder
Final test flight scheduled in April
Appareo Systems has lowered the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of its Stratus ESG, an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out transponder with a built-in WAAS GPS receiver, from $3,490 to $2,995. The new price includes an antenna for the integral WAAS GPS receiver.
ADS-B, which uses satellites instead of ground-based radar to determine aircraft location, is a key technology behind the FAA’s Next Generation Air Traffic Control System. The FAA has mandated ADS-B Out equipage beginning Jan. 1, 2020, for operations in most airspace where a transponder is required today.
The company is preparing for the Stratus ESG’s final FAA flight test. The flight, which is scheduled to take place this month, actually is for the transponder’s supplemental type certificate. Appareo has been working closely with the FAA throughout the certification process, and is hoping that its certification package is processed promptly. A ship date for the new transponder will be announced as soon as the company receives certification.
Appareo said its nearly 250 authorized dealers have been actively selling the Stratus ESG and scheduling installations to begin this summer. The price reduction will be reflected in all existing purchase agreements.
“I can easily speak on behalf of everyone at Appareo when I say we’re excited to complete our final FAA flight in April,” said Kris Garberg, Appareo’s director of sales. “It’s been evident that the market is hungry for an affordable option like Stratus ESG, so we’re quite eager to receive certification and start shipping.”
The company, which introduced its first Stratus ADS-B receiver in 2012, has been recognized as an industry leader in portable ADS-B receivers. Their success and popularity of the receivers encouraged Appareo to develop the transponder with Stratus customers in mind.
“We wanted to offer an affordable way for the non-glass panel market to comply with the mandate for ADS-B Out,” said Derek Aslakson, aviation product manager at Appareo. “We focused on developing an all-in-one-box solution to minimize installation costs, while also giving pilots an option that replaces their analog transponders with a new digital transponder.”
