Freeflight FDL-978-XVR

[dougweil]

Rob,

My RV7 has an AFS 4500 and 3500 installed, Garmin 430W, GTX-327 and XM weather. I really want to install an ADSB transceiver soon and have narrowed my choice to the Freeflight FDL-978-XVR (which includes a separate GPS receiver). BUT I am still not 100% certain that it will display traffic and weather on my 4500. One other RV pilot tells me it displays fine on his 5400. Freeflight doesn't know for sure. Before I spend $3500 I really would like to know. Any insight on this Rob??

I was also considering the L3 Lynx system but that is not officially available yet and I have no idea how that system will work.

Doug Weiler

[Rob Hickman]

We have not tested it so we really don't know if it will work. If it uses the GDL90 format and is working with a AF-5400 it should work with the AF-4500. It will not work with a non S CPU AF-3500 EFIS.

You could also:

1. Upgrade your AF-3500 to a AF-5400 = $3000
2. Install our Mode S ES transponder and sell the 327. ($2,200-$900?)= $1300
3. Install our ADS-B receiver = $899

[dougweil]

233233
We have not tested it so we really don't know if it will work. If it uses the GDL90 format and is working with a AF-5400 it should work with the AF-4500. It will not work with a non S CPU AF-3500 EFIS.

You could also:

1. Upgrade your AF-3500 to a AF-5400 = $3000
2. Install our Mode S ES transponder and sell the 327. ($2,200-$900?)= $1300
3. Install our ADS-B receiver = $899

Hi Rob..

I probably should clarify my panel: My primary display is a AF-3500 with internal 4500 "interior". So it is a AF-4500. The other screen is a AF-3500 engine monitor. They talk to each other through a router. I usually have the ADI page on the LH screen, and the map page on the RH screen (which is really a AF-3500EM). My question now is will the GDL90 format display on my RH screen (which really comes from the RH screen). See photo.

[Rob Hickman]

The AF-3500 will only display ADSB weather if it is an "S" CPU with Synthetic vision.

[dougweil]

Hmm.. This looks like a problem. Here's the log on screen. Oops.. Don't know why it's upside down but you can see it appears to be a AF-3000S.

So I assume that my RH screen will not show traffic (works fine for XM weather). Can this be converted to a 4500? If so how much? Or is the only recourse conversation to a 5400 for $3000?

Doug

[Rob Hickman]

I should have said only the AF-3500 with a "S" cpu will display ADS-B (weather and traffic) You should be good to go.

[dougweil]

Great! I was getting worried there for a second. I'll keep evaluating these various systems. Many thanks Rob!!!!

Doug

[dougweil]

HI Rob:

I have ordered my Freeflight FDL-978-XVR and will have some questions for you I am sure in the future. I have their installation manual and have a pretty good idea how I will wire it. FF confirms their unit uses the common Garmin GDL-90 comm format. Which of the serial port options on my AF-4500 set up corresponds to this format?

Doug Weiler

[Rob Hickman]

You need to use serial port #1 or # 3 on either EFIS, I would wire it to the MFD.

[dougweil]

I generally fly with the PFD on the left showing attitude and engine data and the MFD (3500EM) showing the map. Since these are connected by a router, I assume connecting the ADSB data to the 3500EM will display WX and traffic fine on the map page. Is that correct? Also, in reference to page 70 of the 4500 operations manual, which serial port option equates to the GDL format used to communicate with the FF transceiver?

Doug