FAQ’s

Why would I need a FlareAssist™ Radar unit?

If you are a seaplane pilot, then you already know judging your height above glassy water is very difficult.  A standard approach to glassy water involves setting up a descent rate of between 100 and 200 fpm, and maintaining this profile until touchdown.  The last few seconds can seem like an eternity, and can eat up a lot of landing area.  However with the FlareAssist™, you will know exactly how high you are above the surface.

What is the cost?

The FlareAssist™ Radar unit is introduced at $2495.00  Much less than the cost of other radar altimetry instruments that only provide a numeric display, unlike FlareAssist which provides verbal announcements in the pilot’s headset. 

What types of surfaces can the FlareAssist™ be used with?

The FlareAssist™ has been extensively over water, land, and marshy areas and has accumulated hundreds of hours in testing.

Can the FlareAssist™ be used for flying over snow?

Yes, however there is a caveat with snow.  Accuracy over snow depends on how well packed the snow is.  It there is a light dusting over hard packed snow, the radar wave will penetrate the lightly packed snow, and reflect off of the hard packed snow giving an inaccurate reading.

What does the FlareAssist™ weigh?

Less then 1 lb.

What are the power requirements?

The FlareAssist™ system accepts 6-36v DC.  If supplied with 12 volts, the current draw is approximately 200ma.

NOTE:  The LED on the supplied 12 volt power plug will burn out if used with a 28 volt system.  If you intend to plug power into a 28 volt cigarette / auxiliary power source, please let us know and we will supply with a 28 volt LED.  If you intend to hard wire the power through a toggle switch, this is not necessary.

How is the FlareAssist™ connected?

The FlareAssist™ consists of 4 parts:

– The FlareAssist™ unit, mounted externally on the airframe

– A cable which connects to the FlareAssist™ unit, which supplies power to the external module, and also carries the signal into the cockpit.  This cable must penetrate the airframe.  The opposite end of the cable has a splitter box, which connects:

A 12 volt power plug, which may be plugged into a 12 volt auxiliary power outlet, or the cable may be cut and hard wired with a switch into the airframe’s electrical system.

An audio cable, of which one end plugs into the splitter cable, while the other end either plugs into a 2.5mm music import on your intercom, OR (the preferred method) cut the cable and wire into a UnSwitched Audio connection.

How do I know what to order?

     We have put together a list of configurations that customers have ordered.  We are also available to assist you via jim@recreationalmobility.com or via phone 321 253-9434.

Is there a wireless unit available?

Not currently.  However we have a wireless version (currently under development) which has a dedicated Bluetooth link. This means that our system will not impede upon other Bluetooth links in the aircraft. 

Is the FlareAssist™ Radar offered in a TSO’d configuration?

No, the FlareAssist™ Radar is not TSO’d, and therefore can be used with ultralight and experimental aircraft.  It may be possible to install the FlareAssist™ Radar with a FAA Form 337.

Can the FlareAssist™ be installed on a SLSA?

This is a bit of a grey area, as you must be able to get the cable connecting the FlareAssist™ Radar unit inside the aircraft.  In the case of the Searey, the cable is small enough where it may be passed through the aft section of the canopy without any alteration of the airframe.  We are working on a bracket that allows the FlareAssist™ unit to be clamped to a wing strut, therefore this is no alteration to the airframe.

To install the FlareAssist™ Radar on your SLSA, we suggest contacting the manufacturer of your aircraft and have them contact us.

Can I take a demo flight, and see the FlareAssist™ in action?

If you are in our area, your welcome to stop by.  If we have an aircraft available, we’ll be glad to give you the FlareAssist™ experience!