Red Fail NIC on FAA report on N966RV

[rfazio1951]

I sent in a request to the FAA for a report on my plane. I installed the GPS2020, have the latest software installed and I'm getting one error. The NIC column is red under Integrity & Accuracy. I get a % fail of 1.61%, a Max dT of 00:00:14, and an MFC of 14. Then in the second box NIC avg is 8.9, min 0 and max 9. I attached a JPG of the report. So what am I doing wrong?

 

[dynonsupport]

Richard,
We've seen a few planes with that reported failure and have identified an issue in the transponder firmware. We're working on an update for that. Until then, there isn't anything you can do, but it also does not cause any operational problems.

 

[rfazio1951]

Ok great, thanks so much for the quick response. I always think I'm doing something wrong. It's nice to get an answer.

 

[dynonsupport]

Update - we have released new SkyView firmware - v14.2.1 that includes a transponder firmware update that fixes this issue.

Richard,
We've seen a few planes with that reported failure and have identified an issue in the transponder firmware. We're working on an update for that. Until then, there isn't anything you can do, but it also does not cause any operational problems.

 

[airguy]

Do we need to specifically push the firmware to the transponder with this, or will it automatically update when we load this version?

 

[dynonsupport]

You must load it manually in the transponder menu. We do this because the transponder is the one device that can require a trip back to Dynon if power is lost during an update or another screen is turned on/off while the update is occurring.

 

[swatson999]

Not sure if this is just something I never noticed before or not...

Uploaded latest software to the SV, then the latest firmware to the transponder, and then cycled power. The top line was showing the transponder as "1200 ALT", even though a) it was in the hangar, and b) the XPDR menu showed it in AUTO mode. Granted, the system had no GPS fix, but shouldn't it have shown GND mode, based on air data (like, 0 airspeed)?

I do see that it uses a combination of GPS and air data to switch between GND and ALT mode, so perhaps this is a corner case...

 

[dynonsupport]

Steve,
That is normal behavior and has not changed since we implemented AUTO. Mode-S systems with auto AIR/GND have to default to AIR when they aren't sure, and they aren't allowed to use a single source (pitot) to determine this.

So, the Dynon transponder will be in AIR anytime it doesn't have a GPS fix.

 

[swatson999]

Aha! Well, that explains that...frankly, I'm so used to the Dynon GPS getting a lock so very quickly and even while in the hangar that I never noticed this. I know the new 2020 GPS needs a touch more visibility of the sky, so I don't get a GPS fix inside the hangar anymore.

But once outside, I've noticed that it locks up almost as quickly as the 250 puck, and I've had no issues with it whatsoever, so...well done on the upgrade!

Thanks for the explanation...

 

[airguy]

Maybe it's just a quirk of the roof design, but in my hangar I have a 40' tall roof with some fiberglass skylights (this is actually an 80'x120' barn, sharing space with farm tractors) and I get a solid lock very quickly with my GPS-2020, even with the doors closed.

 

[DonFromTX]

Mine is sitting in a stone home with a metal garage door, the 2020 has no trouble seeing the sats.

 

[swatson999]

All metal hangar here...like a giant Faraday cage when the doors are closed.

With them open, the 2020 will get a lock, and the 430W *eventually* will get one, some of the time (it's always been that way), whereas the 250 would get a lock a little faster IIRC.

No big deal, though...once outside, all systems lock up fairly quickly, with the 2020 locking up *very* quickly.

 

[rfazio1951]

I updated the software on the transponder and re applied for the FAA report. The red column under the NIC column is gone, but now I have red in the (Air on Ground ) column. I'm guessing I've got the switch to ALT not on AUTO but "ON". Would that do it? I've got to get back out to the airport to check it out. I won't be able to till the weekend.

 

[dynonsupport]

Yes, that would do it

I updated the software on the transponder and re applied for the FAA report. The red column under the NIC column is gone, but now I have red in the (Air on Ground ) column. I'm guessing I've got the switch to ALT not on AUTO but "ON". Would that do it? I've got to get back out to the airport to check it out. I won't be able to till the weekend.

 

[rfazio1951]

I am happy to report that I set the transponder mode to auto for ALT, GRND, and I now get a perfect report from the FAA.

 

[lolachampcar]

Exact same sequence here.
Failed NIC
Updated firmware
Successful flight all passing results

Thank you Dynon