Appareo Stratus 4 Portable ADS-B Receiver with Color Touch Screen and Replaceable Battery

Does the Stratus 4 make me ADS-B Out compliant?

No. The Stratus 4 is an ADS-B In receiver. It lets you receive weather and traffic but does not transmit your position, so it does not meet the FAA requirement for ADS-B Out. To comply with the 2020 mandate you still need a certified ADS-B Out transponder installed in your aircraft.

Does the Stratus 4 require a subscription, and can I use it outside the United States?

No subscription is required. The Stratus 4 receives subscription-free in-flight weather, including NEXRAD radar, METARs, and TAFs, from US ground stations, so weather is generally available only within the United States. GPS and AHRS work globally, and dual-band 978 MHz and 1090 MHz traffic can still be received air-to-air wherever you fly.

What weather products does the Stratus 4 receive?

The Stratus 4 delivers subscription-free in-flight weather to your connected app, including NEXRAD radar, METARs, and TAFs, along with other text and graphical FIS-B weather products broadcast from US ground stations. Coverage depends on being within range of those ground stations and typically improves with altitude as your line of sight to the towers increases.

Which aviation apps work with the Stratus 4, including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and Android?

The Stratus 4 uses an open architecture compatible with nearly every major EFB on both iOS and Android, including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, Stratus Insight, FlyQ, WingX Pro, and FltPlan Go. Garmin Pilot users can even view receiver health in the app status section. Confirm support with your app developer if your specific app is not listed.

Does the Stratus 4 have its own GPS, or does it use my iPad?

The Stratus 4 includes its own WAAS GPS receiver and shares that position with your connected app over Wi-Fi. This provides accurate position data independent of your tablet or phone, which is useful on devices that lack a built-in GPS or that have weaker internal receivers. The receiver also reports satellite status on its touch screen.

Do I need ADS-B Out in my panel to see a complete traffic picture, and why is the receiver dual-band?

For a complete rebroadcast traffic picture you need a certified ADS-B Out installation in your panel. Without it, the Stratus 4 still receives air-to-air signals from nearby aircraft on both 978 MHz and 1090 MHz, the two ADS-B frequencies used in the United States. Dual-band reception captures more traffic than a single-band receiver that listens on only one frequency.

How do I connect the Stratus 4 to ForeFlight or my flight app?

Power on the Stratus 4, then open your device Wi-Fi settings and join the Stratus network it broadcasts. Open your flight app, such as ForeFlight, and it should recognize the receiver for traffic, weather, and GPS. You can confirm reception on the unit color touch screen or in the app status section.

Can more than one device connect to a Stratus 4 at the same time, and what is in the box?

Yes. The Stratus 4 has a built-in Wi-Fi network that multiple iPads or iPhones can join at once, so the pilot and co-pilot can view the same weather and traffic. The box includes the receiver, a protective carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, a suction cup window mount, a 110V wall plug, and the Stratus Pilot Guide.

Is the battery really replaceable by the pilot, and how long does it last?

Yes. The Stratus 4 has the only user-replaceable battery in its category, and it swaps out in the field without tools. The rechargeable battery provides up to 8 hours of runtime and recharges with the included USB-C cable, so you can carry a spare and avoid factory servicing or downtime when a pack eventually wears out.

What do the AHRS, G-meter, and flight data recorder do, and are they certified for IFR?

The Stratus 4 includes an automatic AHRS that supplies supplemental attitude for synthetic vision, a G-meter to show load, and a flight data recorder that logs your flights. These tools add awareness and let you review maneuvers. They are supplemental for VFR and supplemental IFR use and are not a certified primary instrument or IFR replacement.

How should I mount the Stratus 4, and how do I dim the screen for night flying?

For best AHRS accuracy, mount it securely with the larger side facing the front of the aircraft, on the dash or using the included suction cup window mount. To protect your night vision, lower the brightness of the full-color touch screen from the unit Settings menu or through a connected app so the receiver does not create distracting glare in a dark cockpit.

Where is the Stratus 4 made, how big is it, and what is the warranty?

The Stratus 4 is designed and made in the USA. It measures 3.1 inches wide by 6 inches deep by 1.75 inches high and weighs 10.6 ounces, so it sits easily on the glareshield or attaches to a side window without crowding your panel. It carries a 2-year warranty, and the user-replaceable battery helps reduce downtime over its life.