Trimble/FreeFlight 2101 GPS

[RoamingCyclic]

Hi All,

Can anyone please tell me the major difference between the Trimble 2101 I/O and the Trimble 2101 I/O Approach Plus? Whilst I have operated both systems in the past I cant remember any major differences.

Thanks.....

[NigD]

Roaming Cyclic

Not 100% sure as I've nit had to install one but I think the I/O approach plus is mainly Arinc 429 (digital)interfaces with the aircraft systems, for the more modern aircraft whereas the I/O are analogue interfaces (synchros etc)for the older retrofits. There may also be a channel number difference for the GPS (2/8/12 blah blah). . .Basically I think the differences are more noticeable for the installer rather than the operator.

Regards

NigD

PS Trimble have a website if you really want to know

[IHL]

The Trimble 2101 was designed for IFR approaches .. .I believe, but don't quote me on it that Transport Canada won't approve it for IFR approaches because of high work load during approaches ( us Canadians ain't that smart just Hockey Players ya know ).

[400 Hertz]

The 2101 Approach Plus is a DZUS-mount flight management and navigation system for commercial and corporate aircraft operators. The system meets FAA TSO C-129 (A1) and European Basic Area Navigation (B-RNAV) certifications. The unit incorporates an ultra-high contrast display for maximum sunlight readability and continuously checks accuracy using Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) and predicts RAIM conditions for approach. The Trimble 2101 Approach Plus can store up to 40 flight plans with 40 waypoints each, showing nearest airport, displaying minimum safe altitudes as well as many other features. The receiver incorporates Jeppesen's NavData card including airports, approaches, SIDS, STARS, VORs, NDBs, airspace boundaries and MEAs. The unit interfaces with CDI, flags and external annunciators and altitude inputs. When integrated to an optional air data computer, the receiver displays true air speed, density and press altitudes, calculates and displays winds aloft and applies current wind to ETE and ETA calculations.. . . .The 2101 I/O Plus is a DZUS-mount system for the corporate, helicopter and regional commuter aircraft operators and is certified to TSO C-129 (A1) and B-RNAV. The 2101 I/O is also certified for primary and remote oceanic navigation. In addition to all the features of the 2101 Approach Plus, the 2101 I/O Approach Plus interfaces to many other flight instruments to maximize the flexibility of the system, all within a single unit.

Is that enough?

[widgeon]

Safe flight have taken over sale and support of these units as well as the Terra range of Radar altimeters . I will post the contact phone number on Monday for anyone who is interested. They are offering trade up from the TNL2000 range as well.

[Weight and Balance]

I'm told that Trimble is exiting the flying machine business for other fields with bigger volumes and bigger bucks. They've entered a partnership with Caterpillar, to put GPS on all Cat rental equipment. They're also big in farm tractor GPS, again with huge volumes compared to aircraft.. .. .Sort of puts the aviation business into perspective.

[Foggy Bottom]

Anyone have a link to a downloadable pilots guide for the 2101? I have looked around on their site, but it is about as user friendly as their products.

[rotorbrent]

I would not bother. All support stops soon and IFR database ends this year. Time to upgrade sorry.

[Foggy Bottom]

That may be true, but that doesn't alter the fact that it is installed and I would like to learn to use it.

[md 600 driver]

foggy tried to send pilots manual by pdf email to you but you have elected no e mails if you send email address by pm i will send to you

mine is the 2101 i/o pilots manual i have also inst manual but they are all big files

steve

[VeeAny]

Foggy

I've sent you a link by PM saves the email limitations we all sometimes suffer from.

Cheers

GS

[Vertolot]

Hi,

Does anyone know if there is available some kind of training program for PC for the above mentioned GPS?

Thanks in advance,

[Shawn Coyle]

One of the less than intuitive things about that GPS is the way you change initial points for an approach. At least it used to be very counter-intuitive, but they have changed the software.
Make sure you know how to change the instrument approach initial point for a given runway - not the easiest thing to remember.
PM me if you want some other info on the issues with this model of GPS.

[Torquelimited]

You can download the pilot manual from ;
http://www.seaerospace.com/freeflight/2101approachplus.htm

[212man]

So when did it stop being a Trimble?

[VeeAny]

212Man

To quote from a pdf presentation on the FreeFlight site relating to Trimble which was "absorbed" into FreeFlight.

2001: Sold Commercial, Business and Helicopter business
to FreeFlight Systems

The pdf is http://www.freeflightsystems.com/docs/SABIT60103.pdf

I don't know if the name changed then, but thats when the company changed hands.

GS

[verticalhold]

Got the thing in 2 aircraft, and none of us like it. With the back up problems I'd like to rip the bloody thing out and start again.

[slgrossman]

Vertolot,

I've used the 2101+ fairly extensively. As others have said, it's not the least bit intuitive. However, it is a fairly capable unit. If you'll be going back and forth between it and another nav system you have my condolences. But, if you'll be using it exclusively, with a few months practice I think you'll find yourself very comfortable with it in all conditions and won't even notice the poorly designed user interface.

Several years ago Trimble distributed a tutorial for the model 2000, which is very similar in operation to the 2101+. They included a rather nice interactive trainer which operates fairly well on older computers. However, I've seen it experience problems on some newer ones.

If you'd like to PM me perhaps we can attempt to figure out a way to get a copy to you.

-Stan-

[Fareastdriver]

Flying a GPS approach depends a lot on how much the company is prepared to pay for the right connections. For example a Bristow 332 wil give the GPS presentation on the HSI but the course to fly has to be set manually and the distance to go has to be read off the Trimble unit by the co-pilot. In China GPS approaches are not approved as yet but when they are Chinese 332s will already have automatic course setting and distance to go on the HSI. ie when you reach a turning point the Beam Bar rotates to the next course and the distance to go comes up on the HSI. Same Trimble, same HSI, just more interested greenies.
Sit back, plug in the Nav function and watch your instruments tell you how they are doing the approach for you.

[GS Pilot]

I have a list of waypoints in a GPX format file.
Anyone know a way to transfer those waypoints into a Trimble 2101 without having to enter each one manually?

[philiplouisamadeus]

Just a warning to anyone with the Free Flight 2101 GPS.
We had a faulty antennae on one of our A109E's causing poor satellite reception. This GPS has a Dead Reckoning back-up which I think could kill. When the system loses its GPS fix it uses dead reckoning. The only way the pilot knows this is happening is if he sees the symbol DR on the EFIS, which is easily missed.

Meanwhile the moving map carries on moving, and you think all is well. However errors start to magnify with any turns and soon you are not where you think you are…

[Bladecrack]

I have had the same thing happen with a Free Flight 2101 (in an EC135) which had an antenna failure. I didnt notice a DR symbol but did notice the track and position looked completely wrong after a while. Luckily I was VMC at the time but I can see how it could be dangerous for the unwary... :eek:

BC

[VeeAny]

The DR Mode of the 2101 can be turned off (certainly on the newer software versions) by hunting for it in the setup menus, I turned it off on your 109 Philip after the last GPS upgrade in May.

The DR mode whilst IMC could be a real killer, especially if as discussed on the other thread pilots are following GPSs down to low level whilst IMC.

[island eagles]

Does anyone recommend where we can get hold of some good training devices for this? Looks scary that the DR is not reliable. We have the TNL 2101 Eurocopter standard fit on our N3 and am looking for a better unit...Eurocopter should have have put a good FMS as a standard fit.All helps in safety implementation especially in IFR.

[Vovick]

Have Trimble 2101 i/0 on year 2000 109 E. Any Plug'n'Play replacement?

[robik1]

Hi

We have Freeflight approch plus 2101 on ours two EC135. The GPS is good but we have problem with database update from Jeppesen. We need card reader for this specific card and its cant be found anywhere. If somebody have card reader to sell or know where to buy reader for this card in Freeflight I will be grateful.

[HeliComparator]

I could be wrong as it was a long time ago, but pretty sure the cards we had in our 2101s weren't PCMCIA. They had a single row of edge contacts.

[helimo]

You need the Jeppesen Skybound Card Reader to write updates onto the EDGE cards. try to get it via [email protected]

[419]

If/when you find one of these for sale, make sure that it is the 3 in 1 skybound adaptor as this is the model you need for the Edge cards. I think that the exact model No is NDSKYUSB.
https://ww1.jeppesen.com/documents/aviation/general/Skybound-USB-Adapt-install.pdf
There are newer Skybound units but these are not suitable for the Edge cards.

[Glevum]

Is ebay item 142226073706 the one?

[VeeAny]

Is ebay item 142226073706 the one?

Gievum, That looks like the adapter for things like the Garmin 430/530 data cards not the Trimble.

Gary

[[email protected]]

Personally, I think the Freeflight is an awful piece of kit - it takes user-unfriendliness to a new level and trying to create WPs from L/L or grid is just painful, let alone linking them into a FPLAN. Ous doesn't have the DR option (possibly disabled) but gives alerts on the ND if the GPS signal is lost.

I guess Trimble never thought to include a pilot in their design team for this one!

[Taranto Knight]

It's probably worth remembering that the 2101 has been around since the late 1990s. In its time it was considered 'state of the art'. I certainly was impressed with the capabilities it offered. Yes, the thing took a bit of learning but no more than any other product of its era. We are a little spoilt these days with touchscreens etc etc, not that I want to go back to the old days!!

[John Eacott]

Personally, I think the Freeflight is an awful piece of kit - it takes user-unfriendliness to a new level and trying to create WPs from L/L or grid is just painful, let alone linking them into a FPLAN. Ous doesn't have the DR option (possibly disabled) but gives alerts on the ND if the GPS signal is lost.

I guess Trimble never thought to include a pilot in their design team for this one!
Says someone who never had to use the Litton 211 Omega/VLF ;)

[[email protected]]

No, but I did have the joys of Decca:ok: Hyperbolic nav in 3 colours anyone?:)

[John Eacott]

No, but I did have the joys of Decca:ok: Hyperbolic nav in 3 colours anyone?:)
Colour? Eeeh lad, thah were lucky, we'd have killed for colour.....

[Taranto Knight]

And there were the joys of the Decca DANAC moving map that worked perfectly until you actually needed it. One sight of a cloud and the position seemed to move to somewhere adjacent to Stavanger when flying through deepest darkest Norfolk! Changing the long plasticised sheets one handed whilst flying as you moved from one area to another was a true test of ability to work as a 'one armed paper hanger'