Tag Archives for " Stratus "

Appareo Announces Stratus Insight Integration with Avidyne IFD Series Navigators

3 years ago
/ Aviation

NEWS RELEASE

Appareo Announces Stratus Insight Integration with Avidyne IFD Series Navigators

New multifunction SBAS flight management systems Helios™ and Atlas™ will join IFD 440, 540, and 550 GPS navigators in Avidyne’s list of products integrated with Stratus™ Insight

FARGO, North Dakota (August 27, 2020) – Appareo today announced the integration of Appareo’s Stratus Insight EFB with Avidyne’s newest FMS and GPS navigator products, Helios and Atlas. This integration allows for bidirectional communication between the application and the navigator. This capability is also currently available for Avidyne customers flying with the IFD 440, 540, and 550 GPS navigators.

Using this communication link, customers can create flight plans in the FMS and push them to Stratus Insight or, alternatively, push flight plans created on the app into their navigator. Additionally, if the navigator is receiving ADS-B in, it will send subscription-free weather and ADS-B traffic information directly to Stratus Insight. Other value-added information such as AHRS data that’s available from an Avidyne navigator will be sent to Stratus Insight as well.

To enable this bidirectional communication, Avidyne customers simply connect their iPad or iPhone Wi-Fi to their FMS, and open the Stratus Insight application.

“Avidyne has been delivering exceptional products to general aviation for years,” said Kristofer Garberg, President of Appareo Aviation. “With their expansion into new markets with the Atlas and Helio products, it provides more options for Stratus Insight users when selecting their hardware. Appareo is delighted to be working with Avidyne to deepen the integration to give the users a best-in-class experience in the future.”

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About Stratus Insight
Stratus Insight is a full electronic flight bag (EFB) suite that includes AHRS with synthetic vision, TAWS, VFR sectional maps, IFR low/high charts, and geo-referenced approach plates. Stratus Insight also offers ATC Radio Transcription and Playback, Vertical Weather Profile, Radar Forecast, and Smart Flight Plan. Pilots can receive briefings from Lockheed Martin, and file IFR/VFR flight plans directly into NAS.

About Appareo
Appareo is a recognized leader in the custom design, development and manufacture of innovative electronic and software solutions for aerospace. Through the creative application of cutting-edge technologies, Appareo creates complex end-to-end solutions that include both mobile and cloud-based components. The company is privately held, with headquarters in Fargo, N.D., and a design office in Paris, France. All products are built and supported in the USA.

https://www.appareo.com/2020/08/27/appareo-announces-stratus-insight-integration-with-avidyne-ifd-series-navigators/

Appareo Acquires Aerovie

5 years ago
/ Aviation

Planned enhancements to Aerovie will result in the industry’s most advanced electronic flight bag

FARGO, North Dakota (June 18, 2019) — Appareo today announced the acquisition of Aerovie, LLC, developer of the Aerovie electronic flight bag (EFB) suite that includes AHRS and synthetic vision, VFR sectional, IFR low/high, and geo-referenced approach charts.

Since introducing the first Stratus portable ADS-B receiver in 2012, Appareo has become the industry leader in the design and production of ADS-B equipment for general aviation. While the company has continued expanding on the hardware features and capabilities of Stratus receivers and transponders, it has been reliant on third-party flight apps to interface with the information provided by Stratus receivers. The first three generations of Stratus receivers (Stratus 1, Stratus 2, and Stratus 1S/2S/2i) were integrated with ForeFlight Mobile. The latest model, Stratus 3, was designed with “Open ADS-B Mode,” which means it integrates with any EFB app using GDL 90 protocol.

With the introduction of Stratus 3 last year, the engineers at Appareo began working with many EFB developers to ensure close integration with the newest model. Aerovie was one of the first companies to support Stratus 3 in its app.

“We were very impressed with the Aerovie team as we worked on the integration, and pleased with how smoothly it went,” said Appareo Aviation President Kris Garberg. “I started flying with the Aerovie app and Stratus 3 last year, and I was so impressed with the features and user experience that it became my ‘go to’ EFB.”

Garberg’s experience flying with Aerovie was the catalyst for Appareo to move toward this acquisition. Knowing that Aerovie was already performing well with Stratus 3, Appareo decided it was time to offer pilots a complete solution of tightly integrated hardware and software.

“All of us at Appareo Aviation are excited to work with Bryan Heitman and the Aerovie team to incorporate their exceptional EFB into the Appareo family, and offer a complete hardware and software solution. We plan to build on the success of Aerovie by adding many new features that will increase safety in the cockpit.” – Kris Garberg – President, Appareo Aviation

Some of the first additions to the Aerovie EFB will be features that Appareo developed for its own app, Stratus Horizon Pro. Introduced last year, Stratus Horizon Pro offers pilots helpful tools including backup AHRS, and Radio Playback, which captures Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications and saves them for easy one-touch playback. Additionally, there’s a beta feature called Radio Transcription, which converts ATC communications into text that’s displayed directly above the audio playback line.

“The product development team at Appareo Aviation has spent a considerable amount of effort developing speech recognition technology customized for aviation, and we’re excited to embed that cutting-edge technology throughout the Aerovie app,” Garberg said. “Our product roadmap is focused on creating a safer, more convenient way to fly. It centers around a beyond-glass strategy, which is the future of aviation.”

Bryan Heitman, the founder of Aerovie is a software developer, private pilot, and self-proclaimed weather geek. As the EFB market was getting started, Heitman considered how he could utilize his skills to create something valuable for pilots. When Lockheed Martin Flight Services announced in 2014 they would provide PIREPS into the national air system, Heitman saw an opportunity. He developed AerovieReports, the first app to deliver free PIREPS. AerovieReports grew a following, and Heitman began adding features. “As a pilot, I was using some of the popular flight apps, but there were gaps in their features. I decided to expand Aerovie to become a flight bag that provided everything I needed,” Heitman said.

Since then, Aerovie has evolved into a full-featured cockpit tool designed to make pilots’ lives easier and provide enhanced situational awareness. Aerovie is a leader for preflight weather planning, with tools designed to give pilots a deeper understanding of weather. For example, weather modeling products such as radar forecast, and a vertical weather profile tool that allows pilots to see conditions across their route of flight based on their aircraft speed and departure time.

“Being as committed as we were to providing robust and reliable weather tools, Stratus was definitely on our radar,” Heitman said. “We saw Appareo leading the ADS-B market with the best quality receiver available, but our customers couldn’t experience it until Stratus 3 was introduced.”

With the Aerovie acquisition comes good news for pilots who own older models of Stratus receivers. The first enhancement planned for the Aerovie app is support for Stratus 2, 1S, 2S, and 2i.

“We’re very excited to take Aerovie to the next level by joining the Stratus product family. Our companies have been aligned in our commitment to G.A. over the years. We understand the unique needs of a single-pilot operation versus a crew, and we’re committed to making flying safer and more friendly for that G.A. pilot,” – Bryan Heitman – Founder, Aerovie

Aerovie currently offers two subscription plans — $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually. Current Aerovie app users will not experience a disruption in their service during the acquisition by Appareo. Once additional features are added to the app, current and new subscribers will be able to select from various plan levels. Those subscription options, as well as the app naming and branding, will be announced at a later date.

The terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed as both companies are privately held. For more information about Appareo Aviation, visit www.appareoaviation.com, and for Aerovie visit www.aerovie.com.

The Aerovie app is available on the App Store for iOS devices.

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https://www.appareo.com/2019/06/18/appareo-acquires-aerovie/

Garmin GNS 480 Navigator Approved GPS Source for Stratus ES

5 years ago
/ Aviation

The Garmin GNS 480 navigator has been approved and added as a WAAS GPS source for our Stratus ES transponder. Stratus ES was built without GPS in order to provide affordable ADS-B Out option for aircraft owners who have already invested in WAAS GPS. Stratus ES is FAA ADS-B rule-compliant when paired with any of the following navigators:

- Garmin 480, 430W, 530W, 6XX, 7XX
- Avidyne IFD440, IFD540

Stratus ES and Stratus ESG are both certified 1090 Extended Squitter (ES) transponders designed to replace aging transponders while also equipping an aircraft with ADS-B Out. Stratus ESG includes built-in WAAS GPS for one-box 2020 compliance, while Stratus ES will make an aircraft rule-compliant when paired with popular models of Garmin and Avidyne navigators. “We have continued adding to the AML-STC since the initial certification in 2016, based on market demand” said Kris Garberg, Appareo Aviation President. See our AML-STC list.

Both of our transponders qualify for the newly re-introduced $500 FAA ADS-B rebate program, which lowers the retail price to $1,995 for Stratus ES and $2,495 for Stratus ESG, plus the cost of installation. Like all Stratus products, they were designed for simple installation and configuration. With the common 1.65” form factor, they easily replace existing transponders without requiring costly panel modifications.

Stratus transponders can be connected to a Stratus ADS-B In receiver for the complete ADS-B In/Out experience. They are the only transponders that can share an aircraft’s external antenna with a portable ADS-B receiver in the cockpit, which greatly enhances the signal strength of the receiver by utilizing the external aircraft antennas. This feature is compatible with many popular brands of ADS-B receivers; a variety of interface kits are available.

Find an authorized Appareo dealer to install your Stratus ES.

https://www.appareo.com/2018/12/03/garmin-gns-480-navigator-approved-gps-source-for-stratus-es/

5 Steps for Receiving Your $500 FAA Rebate

5 years ago
/ ADS-B Aviation

5 Steps to Get Your $500 ADS-B Rebate

The rebate program is available until all are claimed or by October 11, 2019. Only those who have not equipped their aircraft with ADS-B Out are eligible.

There are five steps aircraft owners should follow to meet the mandate and receive their $500 rebate:

Purchase the equipment and schedule installation
- Is your aircraft registered and updated on the FAA website?
- Talk to an Authorized Appareo Dealer to find out which Stratus transponder is the best ABS-B Out option for you. Your installer may also recommend that you consider ADS-B In options, like a Stratus receiver, to maximize all of the benefits of ADS-B weather and traffic.
Obtain a Rebate Reservation Code by reserving a position online
- Within the 90-day period of your ADS-B Out install, reserve your $500 Rebate.
- All boxes must be checked on the Rebate page to request a reservation.
Install the equipment
- Follow the FAA’s installation policy
- As stated in the FAA Mandate requirements, your aircraft must be equipped with aTSO-certified Version 2 ADS-B Out transmitter and a compatible WAAS GPS position source.
- There are two types of ADS-B systems available:
  - - Mode S transponder with Extended Squitter, referred to as 1090ES, which meet the performance requirements of Technical Standard Order TSO-C166b. Stratus Transponders qualify as a 1090 ES ADS-B Solution.
    - Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) that meets the performance requirements of TSO-C154c. UAT receives weather data provided by the FAA ADS-B network and operates on 978 MHz. Most UAT options reuse your existing old transponder though, which may still use outdated vacuum-tube technology and need to be replaced.
Conduct the required equipment performance validation and get an Incentive Code
- After your ADS-B Out Solution is installed you have 60 days to submit a Public ADS-B Performance Report Request. This request validates your equipment performance with the FAA. After you’ve completed the test you’ll receive an incentive code.
- According to the FAA, “for best results, ADS-B validation flights should be conducted within published areas of FAA ADS-B Coverage. Flying near the surface or at the fringe of ADS-B coverage areas may negatively impact the metrics provided in your PAPR Report. Please refer to the FAA ADS-B Coverage Map before flying.”
- Here is a useful AOPA article that shares some tips on how to pass the ADS-B performance validation test.
Claim the $500 rebate online using the Rebate Reservation Code and Incentive Code

https://www.appareo.com/2018/10/30/5-steps-for-receiving-your-500-faa-rebate/

EAA AirVenture 2018

5 years ago
/ Aviation

With two new products to introduce, AirVenture 2018 was one for the books!

Stats from the show:

601,000 people attended
10,000 aircraft
3,000 showplanes
1,500 workshops and presentations
2,700 visitors registered from 87 nations
12 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture

New Products

Stratus 3 is the simple-to-use, portable wireless receiver that provides subscription-free weather, GPS information, backup attitude and ADS-B traffic on your tablet. The feature that pilots were most excited about is the Open ADS-B Mode, which was added so Stratus 3 could work with a variety of popular apps – both iOS and Android based.

Stratus Horizon Pro is a free app that delivers firmware updates to Stratus receivers, displays backup AHRS, and offers ATC Radio Playback when paired with a Stratus Audio Cable. Also coming soon to this app is ATC Radio Transcription!

The Team

The Oshkosh experience is valuable to a variety of our team members, not just the sales team. We always show up with a mix of folks from product development, engineering, marketing, sales, and support.

Mike Willers, Support Manager had this to say about his first time attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh:

My team deals with a lot of questions and troubleshooting during the year, so it’s fun to get out and talk with happy customers at these shows and learn about how much our products improve their flying careers or hobbies. It’s fantastic to see how diverse our customers are from flying a few times a year to flying in large operations.”

See you at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019!

https://www.appareo.com/eaa-airventure-2018/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Appareo Offers Open Source on Fourth-Generation Stratus Receiver

6 years ago
/ Aviation

Stratus 3 works with many electronic flight bag apps using GDL 90 protocol

FARGO, North Dakota (July 19, 2018) — Appareo released a new addition to its Stratus family of pilot-friendly affordable avionics this week. Stratus 3 is the latest model in the line of industry-leading ADS-B receivers first introduced in 2012. The company will exhibit Stratus 3 as part of its full line of Stratus products next week at the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 fly-in and expo.

Stratus 3 is the fourth generation of a receiver that has proven to be the ultimate accessory for pilots who use flight apps — offering subscription-free weather, dual band ADS-B traffic, built-in AHRS, WAAS GPS, a flight data recorder, and the patented weather replay feature that allows pilots to turn off the screen on their tablet without missing important weather information.

The company is announcing Stratus 3 with an introductory price of $699, and including an industry-leading 2-year warranty to reinforce its commitment to designing and manufacturing the most reliable portable receiver on the market.

“With Stratus 3, we set out to add more features without increasing the price,” says Appareo Aviation President Kris Garberg. “We also wanted to respond to the trend of openness in the industry. With the Open ADS-B Mode in Stratus 3, we are affirming our commitment to offering a no-compromise ADS-B portable receiver to more pilots than ever, without sacrificing performance.”

Since the first Stratus receiver was introduced, one of the hallmarks of the product has been the close integration with ForeFlight Mobile. Engineers at Appareo and ForeFlight have collaborated on the development of each Stratus receiver, with the intention of delivering an ADS-B solution that is seamlessly integrated for optimal performance and ease of use. With Stratus 3, Appareo continues working closely with ForeFlight to maintain the high performance standards that pilots have come to expect. However, something unique to Stratus 3 is that it’s equipped with Open ADS-B Mode, enabling it work with any electronic flight bag (EFB) app using GDL 90 protocol. The company has begun integration testing with some of the most well-known apps, including WingX, FltPlan Go, FlyQ, and iFly GPS.

This is what the EFB developers have to say regarding Appareo’s decision to open Stratus 3:

Dr. Hilton Goldstein, CEO of Hilton Software:

“WingX was the first major EFB application to bring ADS-B weather and traffic as well as Synthetic Vision to an iPad and iPhone. WingX integration with the new Stratus 3 is an important step forward in the continued open standards movement within General Aviation. As a Department of Defense prime contractor for its mobile aviation suite, we are excited to augment the incredible functionality of our military software solutions with Appareo’s new Stratus 3.”

Sarah Wilson, Principal of FltPlan:

“We are thrilled to add the Stratus 3 ADS-B receiver to our list of compatible products. FltPlan users have consistently asked us for Stratus connectivity and we are certain that this will be a popular addition to FltPlan Go. Appareo’s reputation for quality and reliability, combined with the features of the Stratus 3 make it a great option for FltPlan users looking to purchase a portable ADS-B receiver.”

John Rutter, President of Seattle Avionics Software:

“We are very excited to have worked with Appareo to ensure compatibility between FlyQ EFB and Stratus 3. Pilots can now use FlyQ EFB, the #1 rated iPad aviation app, and Stratus, the #1 rated ADS-B receiver together!”

In addition to now working with many well-known flight apps, Stratus 3 also delivers new features of Auto Shut Off and Smart WiFi. With Auto Shut Off, Stratus will power down if it’s moving at less than 5 knots or has less than a 3D GPS lock, ultimately saving battery life when someone forgets to shut it off. With Smart WiFi, Stratus 3 allows pilots to use 3G/4G LTE internet on an iPad/iPhone while connected to Stratus 3. This means pilots no longer have to “forget this network” every time they want to connect to cellular service while also connected to Stratus 3.

Stratus 3 is enabled to receive the new ADS-B weather products that are coming soon from the FAA, which will include echo tops, lightning, icing forecast, turbulence forecast, Center Weather Advisories, and G-AIRMETs. Previous models of Stratus receivers will also be able to receive the new FIS-B products.

Appareo is offering a trade-in program to Stratus 2S customers who are interested in upgrading to Stratus 3. Details can be found on the company’s website.

Stratus 3 is now shipping. For more information, visit www.appareo.com/stratus.

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About Appareo
Appareo is a recognized leader in the custom design, development and manufacture of innovative electronic and software solutions for aerospace and agriculture. Through the creative application of cutting-edge technologies, Appareo creates complex end-to-end solutions that include both mobile and cloud-based components. The company is privately held, with world headquarters located in Fargo, N.D., and design offices in Tempe, Ariz. and Paris, France. All Stratus products are designed, developed, built and supported in the USA. The company currently has a network of 540 dealers and was voted 2017 AEA Association Member of the Year.

https://www.appareo.com/appareo-offers-open-source-on-fourth-generation-stratus-receiver/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Pilots of Appareo: Nicholas Butts, Research Staff Engineer

6 years ago
/ Aviation

Appareo: 10x the national average

One of the secrets behind how we create great aviation products for pilots is this: many of us are pilots ourselves! While only 0.5% of the U.S. population has a pilot’s license, more than 5% of Appareo employees do. That’s 10 times the national average!

Collectively, our pilots log hundreds of flight hours in their free time. Let us introduce you to one now: Nicholas Butts, Research Staff Engineer

Nick and a Civil Air Patrol cadet after the cadet’s first orientation flight.

Nick joined Appareo in 2010 as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer. A few years later he took on a new role of Embedded Systems Architect, before moving into his current role as Staff Research Engineer in Appareo’s Department of Demystification. Outside of Appareo, Nick also serves as squadron commander for the ND046 Civil Air Patrol squadron in Fargo.

What motivated you to pursue your pilot’s license and how long have you been flying?

Both of my parents have their pilot’s licenses. My dad did a lot of flying in the 70’s and 80’s and I remember flying with him as a kid. Growing up I had hopes of flying in the Air Force, but my vision was not good enough to fly. So as I grew older my hopes of flying for the Air Force diminished and was replaced by other interests. In high school, I was more interested in tinkering with electronics and computers. My parents, being concerned that I might not graduate from high school, made me a deal. If I got a 3.5 GPA in my senior year of high school, they would pay for my pilot’s license. That was the motivation I needed to study and do my homework. I ended my senior year with a 3.48 GPA, so my parents said they would pay for 50% of my pilot’s license. That summer I started flying with the local town dentist (my flight instructor) and completed about half of my training. The next summer I finished my pilot’s license.

What was your proudest moment as a pilot?

I was very proud of myself for completing my instrument rating. Being a parent is the hardest thing I’ve done in my life and my instrument rating was the second hardest thing. I’m also extremely proud of my work on Stratus 2. That has been the highlight of my engineering career.

How does being a pilot help your work at Appareo?

It really helped with Stratus 1 and Stratus 2. I understand how pilots would use the product and what features pilots would value.

https://www.appareo.com/pilots-of-appareo-nicholas-butts-research-staff-engineer/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Pilots of Appareo: John Evans, Ag Support Specialist

6 years ago
/ Aviation

Meet John Evans, Ag Support Specialist

We have pilots in every aspect of our business. Let us introduce you to one now!

John Evans has been with us since 2015, supporting Intelligent Ag Solutions, our joint venture with AGCO Corporation. Intelligent Ag develops technologies to help farmers make the most of their equipment. Smarter farming doesn’t have to be complicated, and Intelligent Ag is dedicated to producing innovative products that make it simple to maximize profit margin.

What motivated you to pursue your pilot’s license and how long have you been flying?

The movie Top Gun and my parents. I’ve always had an interest in airplanes/aviation, and getting my pilot’s license was something I wanted to do. I had intended on becoming a professional pilot (I attended the flight school at UND), and even though I really enjoy flying, the lifestyle of a career pilot was not for me. I have not flown much in the last few years but I do intend on getting back into flying soon.

What was your proudest moment as a pilot?

Obtaining my Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI).

https://www.appareo.com/pilots-of-appareo-john-evans-ag-support-specialist/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Pilots of Appareo: Zach Peterson

6 years ago
/ Aviation

Collectively, our pilots log hundreds of flight hours in their free time. Let us introduce you to one now: Zach Peterson, Aviation Sales Manager

Zach’s love for aviation started from his father. “My father is a CFI and has been flying for over 50 years. He continues to be my CFI to this day,” Zach said.

The biggest thing Zach loves about his job is that he and his team are all pilots. “We share a love for flying and get to serve and be involved in the aviation community every day. What’s not to love?”

Zach says this about the key to Appareo’s success:

“The passion, commitment, and raw talent within Appareo is unlike anything I’ve encountered before. Being a part of that is not only a privilege but something I look forward to every morning. I believe this is a common sentiment throughout the company, and it is the driving force that propels us forward as an organization.”

When asked about the future of Appareo, Zach said, “What excites me most is that Appareo’s future is not limited or constrained. As a company, we are flexible and dynamic in a way that allows us to visualize a future that is not bound by the technology available today, but instead to focus on how we can make new technology a reality.”

https://www.appareo.com/pilots-of-appareo-zach-peterson/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss