uAvionix and ForeFlight have announced the availability of Scout, which is a “revolutionary portable, dual-band ADS-B receiver” that provides inflight weather and traffic information to ForeFlight’s Mobile app in the “smallest, most elegant form-factor on the market.”

There is no hardware to assemble, no software to download and nothing to configure in order to set up and use Scout. Instead, all a user has to do is position Scout on any window surface using its ball-joint and suction cup mounting system, plug it into a power surface, and fly whatever aircraft is being flown.

Any five volt Micro-USB power source can power Scout, including rechargeable USB batteries or existing USB chargers installed in aircraft.

“Every aircraft – whether manned or unmanned – is inherently safer with ADS-B,” says Christian Ramsey, President of uAvionix.

“The ability to see and avoid weather and other traffic should be something that all airspace users can take advantage of.”

Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder and CEO, echoes the statements of Ramsey by saying, “inflight weather and traffic delivers better situational awareness and leads to better decision making.”

Weihs adds that “the combination of an ADS-B In solution with ForeFlight makes flying safer,” which the companies believe has led to a reduction in weather related incidents and accidents. 

By connecting their iPad or iPhone directly to Scout’s integrated Wi-Fi network, customers can receive inflight subscription-free ADS-B weather and traffic information, which will be displayed exclusively on the ForeFlight Mobile app.

In addition to supporting up to four devices, Scout also supports Cockpit Sharing, which allows users to share routes between all devices on Scout’s network. This feature is ideal for a co-pilot or CFI, so that they can follow-along and monitor weather and traffic.

The full range of FIS-B weather and data is supported by Scout, and Scout can also receive air-to-air traffic information from aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out, and re-broadcast traffic information (ADS-R and TIS-B) from FAA ground towers.

Scout costs $199 USD, which the companies say make it the most affordable off-the-shelf ADS-B In solution in the industry.