Stratus Procedures

Stratus Device

The Stratus device is now available for use in 52126. You must have an ipad/iphone running ForeFlight in order to take advantage of this ADS-B in-flight weather device. Here are instructions on the use of the device:

Prior to Flight

  • Remove Stratus from glove box.
  • Place Stratus on dashboard.  There is a velcro patch affixed on the copilot side.  ADS-B reception seems relatively dependable in that location.  That said, I’m not sure that the velcro is really needed or whether it will even stick to the cloth-covered dash for very long.  Simply placing the unit on the dashboard seems to be just fine as well (even during maneuvering work and in turbulence.)
  • A 2.1A USB connector with cable is installed in the power outlet (cigar lighter) with the cable tucked in along the right side of the dash.  Connect this cable to the corresponding jack on the Stratus unit
  •  Power on the Stratus by depressing the button on the side of the unit.  All lights with cycle through a few colors, then two lights will turn green.  When an ADS-B station is received, the third light will turn green (may not happen on the ground.)

Operation

  • In the iPad settings app, connect to the WiFi connection named STRATUS#####.
  • In Foreflight, select the ‘more’ tab at the bottom right, then select Devices.  You should see the Stratus as an available device.  Connect. Note that you can see status information about the Stratus by tapping the device icon.  Subsequent connections should happen automatically, depending on your selected options.
  • See notes below about limitations on receiving ADS-B data on the ground.

After Shutdown

  • Disconnect the Stratus.
  • TURN THE POWER OFF by depressing the power button for about a second.  All lights should go off.
  • Place the unit back in the glove box.  DO NOT LEAVE THE STRATUS ON THE DASHBOARD.  The manual explicitly warns against storing the unit in direct sunlight.  Use of the sunscreens is also important, but for those cases where the sunscreens aren’t used we want to make sure that the Stratus is not left unprotected.
  • Leave the USB adapter and cable in place.

Notes

  • Do NOT expect to receive ADS-B data on the ground at ground at GAI.
  • On the ground at airports with ADS-B stations, be aware that not all weather products are available.  Service availability varies by altitude.
  • If Foreflight is connected to the Stratus, it cannot simultaneously receive FIS data via the Internet using another WiFi 3G connection.  You may therefore want to delay connecting Foreflight to the Stratus until you are airborne.
  • FIS-B is a ground-based service.  The Stratus therefore needs downward visibility to receive data.
  • The Stratus’ built-in battery is rated to last eight  hours.  That said, we should strive to always connect to ship’s power so that is maintained in a fully charged state.
  • The Stratus manual is available in the document catalog within Foreflight.
  • You need to have a relatively recent version of Foreflight to use the Stratus.  Please refer to the Stratus manual, as mentioned above, if you are not seeing the Stratus in your Foreflight devices list.
  • Although the manual recommends use of an iPad2 or 3, I am successfully using Stratus with an original iPad (albeit with some occasional delayed responses and ‘crashes’).  Restart of the Foreflight app has proven to be painless so far (re-starts quickly and maintains last state.