TargheeDon Posted May 23, 2019 Report Share Posted May 23, 2019 Well, I completed my install today. It's been a long process in the works. To make a long story short, I 3D printed an extension piece that the Tailbeacon fits into. All the holes are printed and match perfectly. It really was a 15 min install! The long process was starting from scratch, buying and learning 3D printing, and then designing and printing multiple prototypes. Well worth the journey. I've included some pics and will keep everyone posted if there are any issues. I bought the Tailbeacon for $1650 and it's a really easy self install both physically (with the extension) and programming (from my iphone in 1 min), so it's probably one of the easiest and cheapest options for ADSB-out. The CG change is negligible (0.17 lb difference on a 168.3 moment arm for a +28.6 moment). Hope everyone is doing well and I will keep you posted if there are any issues. Best, TargheeDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted May 23, 2019 Report Share Posted May 23, 2019 Nice job! Please let us know your PAPR test results. If it tests good, you will probably have some prospective customers for your 3D mount, or at least the file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted May 23, 2019 Report Share Posted May 23, 2019 Nice piece but a question: why did you make the "neck" of the piece so long? It seems like it could be half as long or less and still do the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted May 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2019 I might have been able to shave a mm or two, but not much more. Please see pic below. The hole in the CTSW behind the stock taillight is tiny, barely big enough to fit one of the wire connectors through. The neck length of the adapter is to house the unseen tail portion of the Tailbeacon and then a little bit of room to run the wires. I wanted to design a piece that was essentially plug and play. The issues I wanted to fix: 1. the holes don't line up for the mounting bracket 2. the hole in the CTSW isn't big enough for the Tailbeacon, so you would have to cut a hole in the composite. Best, TargheeDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODowneyEng Posted May 24, 2019 Report Share Posted May 24, 2019 Great job there, Mr. TargheeDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted May 24, 2019 Report Share Posted May 24, 2019 Ah, I didn't realize there was a "stem" on the unit. Thanks for the explanation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZ Top Posted May 24, 2019 Report Share Posted May 24, 2019 Great job, not all that easy to do this on a printer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZ Top Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Greetings, any updates on how the unit is working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted May 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2019 I will be flying 8+ hours of cross country through adsb airspace this week, so I will give a full report at the end of the week. Best, TargheeDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted May 27, 2019 Report Share Posted May 27, 2019 The PAPR report will be available within a few hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted June 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2019 Well, the results are in for the Uavionix Tailbeacon with the 3D printed extension and they are very positive. I have included my last flight PAPR report. It was a 4 hour 11 min flight and there were no anomolies during the entire flight and the unit met all requirements. I also had positive confirmation from other aircraft that my ADSB track was showing up on their system with my call sign. My plan is to submit an MRA form to Flight Design soonest to have the extension approved; then it will be available as a certified and extremely cost effective ADSB out solution for all. I hope everyone is doing well and I will keep you posted on the paperwork drill. Best, TargheeDon PAPR_20190531_ADD0B2_402175148.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppercity Posted June 2, 2019 Report Share Posted June 2, 2019 18 hours ago, TargheeDon said: Well, the results are in for the Uavionix Tailbeacon with the 3D printed extension and they are very positive. I have included my last flight PAPR report. It was a 4 hour 11 min flight and there were no anomolies during the entire flight and the unit met all requirements. I also had positive confirmation from other aircraft that my ADSB track was showing up on their system with my call sign. My plan is to submit an MRA form to Flight Design soonest to have the extension approved; then it will be available as a certified and extremely cost effective ADSB out solution for all. I hope everyone is doing well and I will keep you posted on the paperwork drill. Best, TargheeDon PAPR_20190531_ADD0B2_402175148.pdf 198.92 kB · 9 downloads Great news! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted June 2, 2019 Report Share Posted June 2, 2019 Thanks for the update, TargheeDon. Glad it worked out for you. . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted July 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 Sorry for the long pause. I've flown over 20 hours and have had zero anomalies with the Tailbeacon with all flights and PAPRs. I submitted my MRA and it has been approved by Flight Design. I'm very happy with the entire evolution and the outcome is solid. If there is interest, I can post the 3D file as open source. Not sure if this is too late and most people have already arrived at their ADSB solutions, but I'm happy to help if possible. Please just reply if you want it and I'll figure out the best way to disseminate the file open source. Best, TargheeDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 What type of filament did you use? (Also, it looks like you have some layer issues.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 41 minutes ago, TargheeDon said: Sorry for the long pause. I've flown over 20 hours and have had zero anomalies with the Tailbeacon with all flights and PAPRs. I submitted my MRA and it has been approved by Flight Design. I'm very happy with the entire evolution and the outcome is solid. If there is interest, I can post the 3D file as open source. Not sure if this is too late and most people have already arrived at their ADSB solutions, but I'm happy to help if possible. Please just reply if you want it and I'll figure out the best way to disseminate the file open source. Best, TargheeDon Thank you for your contribution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted July 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2019 Doug, I used PLA since I was printing indoors this winter. I used 100% fill for strength. Those striations were extremely repeatable and happened on all my prototypes. I think it's just because I don't have a super expensive 3D printer. The extension is very strong, and I can lift the nosewheel off the ground by pushing down on it, so I don't really have any concerns on strength. I might print an ABS piece this summer just to see if I can. Best, TargheeDon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okent Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 TargheeDon, any concerns about moisture absorption with PLA vs ABS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted July 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2019 Okent, I'm not concerned. I keep the plane in a hangar, and the Tailbeacon extension is watertight. I haven't seen any deformation or absorption in two months of use. Thanks. Best, Don P.S. Attatched is the .stl file for open source use at your own risk. It has worked really well for me and I continue with zero issues after over 30 hours of flying. Hope it potentially helps some folks with an inexpensive plug and play ADSB-out solution. Don't hesitate to send me an email with any questions. TB V5.stl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okent Posted July 21, 2019 Report Share Posted July 21, 2019 Thanks Don. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankmodels Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Don: Tried to download your stl file but am getting a Certificate of Trust flag and it doesn't give any option to get around it. Is it possible to upload it again or email it? Frank Fanelli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted July 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2019 Frank, Sure no problem. Zap me your email and I'll send it to you. On another note, I was messing with downloading the file I posted, and it seemed to have some wierd cuts generated down the sides that weren't there in the original file. I will troubleshoot. I noticed that it's been downloaded 9 times, so I wanted to notifiy people who downloaded it as a potential issue. Here's the Version4 file which I've double checked doesn't have the strange cuts. Hope all is well. Best, TargheeDon Tail Beacon V4.stl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug G. Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 On 7/5/2019 at 11:35 PM, TargheeDon said: Doug, I used PLA since I was printing indoors this winter. I used 100% fill for strength. Those striations were extremely repeatable and happened on all my prototypes. I think it's just because I don't have a super expensive 3D printer. The extension is very strong, and I can lift the nosewheel off the ground by pushing down on it, so I don't really have any concerns on strength. I might print an ABS piece this summer just to see if I can. Best, TargheeDon PETG would stand the weather better and is stronger than PLA. It also does not give off fumes like ABS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runtoeat Posted September 21, 2019 Report Share Posted September 21, 2019 Don, although I have ADS-B in/out with iFly and SkyGuard I have followed your installation of the Tail Beacon with interest. FWIW, a friend with a CTSW did an installation of the Tail Beacon by opening up the hole in the tail to accept the body of the Beacon. Just an aluminum adapter plate needed to accept new rivnuts and the hole pattern of the Beacon. I think you could reduce the length of the body of your adapter if you did this but will add some complexity to your simple and effective method. FD USA has approved the MRA for my friend's installation. You have done a nice job designing this in a manner that allows a quick, easy and durable installation. Thanks for posting and for being so helpful sharing this with others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TargheeDon Posted September 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2019 Runtoeat, Thanks for the kind words. I think your friends solution is fantastic. It's always good to have multiple solutions. FD approved the MRA for my tail beacon extension also. I have a little over 100 hours on my Tailbeacon with no anomalies. I will post the V5 file again, and hopefully it will not have any issues with people downloading. Deadline is approaching! Best, TargheeDon TB V5.stl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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