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Contrails ! Global Positioning System
Provided you have access to the necessary documents installation of a panel GPS receiver is easy. An up-to-date installation manual will allow you to choose a low cost high performance antenna, connect your GPS receiver to other devices such as a transponder or a fuel-flow meter.
Flight safety
Report on GPS events
The French BEA (Bureau for Accident Investigation) just sent me a hard copy report (in French) on a number of accidents and incidents where the use of a GPS receiver could have been a contributing factor.
It includes a summary of the principle and limitations of the GPS that every pilot should bear in mind.
The report can be downloaded from the BEA website :
Download the report
Garmin GPS
Garmin manuals
User manuals are easy to get on the Garmin website but getting an installation manual for a Garmin GPS or a XPDR is another story. They were once openly available.
Nevertheless installation manuals for Garmin and Appolo are still available (registration maybe required).
GPS Antenna
Active antenna
When installing a panel GPS receiver one has to choose a suitable antenna. The GPS 400 needs an active antenna.
The homebuilder may install a big protruding antenna on the turtle deck, like those on airliners, or a more compact inboard antenna. We opted for drag reduction.
Currently available antennas range from 150 to 400 €. Looking for OEM providers I was able to locate an active 3-5 volts antenna with its coaxial cable for 24 €.
Canadian based Laipac Technology Inc., who are also located in Spain, sent us a GLP1-RA antenna.
This model is 100% waterproof, offers a 27 dB gain and 2.0 max output VSWR. It came with a 5 m long, small diameter RG-174 coaxial cable.
Installation et performance
Installation on top of the glareshield was a breeze : drilling of a single hole, securing the plastic nut on the built-in thread. The bottom exit of the cable allows a clean setup.
The coax was shortened and a standard BNC connector crimped in place. The antenna is located immediately above the GPS receiver.
The antenna performed flawlessly as soon as it was connected and the receiver powered up. Satellites are acquired without any problem even in the hangar, to our astonishment.
In flight, no blind spot.
Read more about the Laipac GLP1-RA antenna 
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01-01-2014 @ 13:45:08
