Becker Avionics (Booth C4935) received EASA certification for the company’s BXT6500 family of mode-S transponders, which are designed for the rigors of helicopter operations. Because the FAA and EASA have signed a bilateral agreement that honors each other’s technical standard orders (TSOs), the approval also applies in the U.S.
When paired with a FreeFlight Systems 1203C SBAS/GNSS sensor, an aircraft will also be equipped for ADS-B Out to meet the Jan. 1, 2020, U.S. mandate and those that apply in other countries.
Becker emphasized that the BXT6500 is primarily designed for helicopters and needs only a single-antenna.
The BXT6500 can also be installed on non-TCAS-equipped aircraft. The system features enhanced privacy settings that can disable both ADS-B and mode-S transmissions—a feature the company claims makes the BXT6500 transponders unique.