ADS-B FDL-978 Series and
Lite Series Installation Manual
Document No. 87343 Rev G
FFS Copyright © 2016 All rights reserved.
3-1
SECTION 3
FDL-978 SERIES CONFIGURATION AND CHECKOUT
3.1 General
This section contains installation configuration, checkout, and basic operating procedures.
Detailed operating procedures are contained in the Pilot Guide/User Manual.
3.1.1 Continued Airworthiness Requirements
The FDL-978 Series and FDL-978 Lite Series systems require no periodic maintenance or
calibration. Maintenance is performed on an on-condition basis only. These units perform a
power-on self-test (POST) and is continually tested using a Periodic Built-In Test (PBIT) when
the system is in operation. This method of testing will notify the operator of a failure. System
software updates are accomplished using the MPI.
Continued airworthiness can also be accomplished by determining the FDL-978 Series and
FDL-978 Lite Series installed system performance using the FFS FT-9000 Ramp Tester (see
Section 1.7.2 for more information).
3.1.2 TC978 Controller Operation
The FDL-978 Lite Series and FDL-978-XVR can interface to a TC978 Controller used in-flight by
the pilot to control output of ADS-B messages. The TC978 receives its power from these units
and communicates to them through an RS-485 serial port. The TC978 Controller receives its
power from and communicates with the FDL-978-XVR Transceiver. The TC978 Controller
consists of the following components:
Monochrome Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
VFR button
FN button (Function)
CODE knob
ENT button (Enter)
Mode Selection knob
IDT button (Ident)
Figure 10. TC978 Controller Knobs and Buttons
For instructions on using the TC978, refer to the FDL-978 ADS-B Equipment Pilot Guide/User
Manual, document number 87351.
