Hi Merlin,
I read your thread over on the Flyer Forum earlier today. You have presumably realised already that this question has a history of polarising opinion between the PilotAware and SkyEcho camps, which in earlier FF threads has led very close to blows and has led several posters to receive formal warnings.
The short answer to your question is that unless or until the CAA decides to mandate ADSB (and make everything else illegal - which is highly unlikely) there can be
NO ‘easy answer’...
Yes, SkyEcho transmits ADSB, which is what the CAA would like to see all GA aircraft doing because (in their opinion) it is a neater and tidier Solution.
PilotAware, on the other hand, doesn’t, and due to the extremely high cost of ‘1090MHz transmit’ development and certification - is unlikely to go down this route.
PilotAware was however designed to provide a cheaper ‘alternative aircraft position indicator’ (
before the CAA got round to making their ADSB recommendation) and has since been developed and expanded to be capable of receiving and warning you about a far broader range of other aircraft transmission types - in addition to its own ‘Plane to Plane’ P3i.
The bottom line - if you want maximum warning of other aircraft systems
and also want to transmit ADSB - is either PilotAware + a linked Transponder, or PilotAware + SkyEcho. There is no ‘One-Stop’ solution.
Sorry, neither I nor anyone else can make the decision for you, all we can do is clarify the options and outline their respective benefits. Personally, I have opted for PilotAware + Transponder, which maximises incoming warnings whilst also maximising visibility to (current) ATC and facilitating entry / transit through Transponder Mandatory Zones and I also run a FLARM transceiver so I can be ‘seen’ by gliders and can see them directly outside the ever expanding OGN-R coverage area.
Hope this helps clarify the situation.
Best Regards
Peter