Appareo Stratus 3 Manual

PILOT’S GUIDE

Copyright Information
Stratus 3 Pilot’s Guide, © 2018 Appareo Systems, LLC. All Rights
Reserved. All content within is copyrighted by Appareo Systems, LLC and
may not be reprinted without permission.
The content of this guide is furnished for informational use only, is subject
to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment
by the manufacturer. Appareo Systems, LLC assumes no responsibility
or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in the content
contained in this guide.
The Appareo, Sporty’s, and ForeFlight logos are all trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners. MITRE is a registered
trademark of the MITRE Corporation. iPad is a registered trademark of
Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
To view the current pilot’s guide, go to www.appareo.com/stratus.

1
Table of Contents
Warnings ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2
Quick Start Instructions ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Shipping Contents ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
About Stratus 3������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4
Stratus 3 Interface ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Product Registration���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Compatible Accessories ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Compatible Flight Apps������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 6
Charging the Battery���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7
Using Stratus 3 at High Temperatures������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
Extending iPad Battery Life ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
Battery Care ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
Mounting Stratus 3 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
Placing Stratus 3 in Aircraft ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
Installing Remote Antennas��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
Connecting Remote Antennas to Stratus 3 ��������������������������������������������������������� 14
Turning Receiver On or Off���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
Using Auto Power-On and Power-Off������������������������������������������������������������������ 15
Reading LED Indicators��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
Connecting to Stratus 3��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
Adjusting Receiver Settings��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Calibrating Stratus 3�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Using AHRS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20
Using Stratus 3 with ForeFlight Mobile���������������������������������������������������������������� 21
Viewing ADS-B Trafc ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22
Updating Firmware ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 24
Resetting to Factory Settings ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 24

2
Warnings
Data
• Stratus portable receivers are ADS-B In only products and do not satisfy the
FAA’s 2020 ADS-B Out requirement�
• Use of personal electronic devices while in ight may be hazardous. Use of
Stratus portable receivers in an operating aircraft is subject to approval by the
Pilot in Command�
• Position information provided by Stratus portable receivers should be used for
situational awareness only and should not be used as your primary navigation
source�
• AHRS (attitude heading reference system) data provided by Stratus portable
receivers should be used for supplemental purposes only�
Weather
• Weather information provided by Stratus portable receivers is delayed and may
not always be available� Do not rely solely on the information provided by the
receiver to make tactical decisions�
Trafc
• Stratus portable receivers do not replace the need for collision avoidance
systems or see-and-avoid procedures� Many aircraft are not currently ADS-B
Out equipped and therefore not detectable by Stratus portable receivers�

3
Quick Start Instructions
1� Charge Stratus 3 to 100% battery using the wall charger�
2� Place dash mount in aircraft�
3� Place unpowered receiver in mount�
4� Turn on Stratus 3 by pressing the power button�
5� Connect your tablet or phone to the Stratus Wi-Fi network from the
Settings
menu�
6� If you’re ying with an app other than ForeFlight Mobile or Stratus
Horizon Pro, enable Open ADS-B mode in Stratus Horizon Pro.
7� Open a compatible ight app and conrm connection to receiver.
NOTE: Because ADS-B signals are broadcast by ground stations,
Stratus 3 will not receive weather and trafc information while it is on
the ground
�
Shipping Contents
• Stratus 3 portable receiver
• Dash mount
• Wall charger and charging cable
• Stratus 3 Pilot’s Guide

4
About Stratus 3
Stratus 3 is a battery-operated portable receiver that works with Stratus
Horizon Pro, ForeFlight Mobile, and other compatible ight apps. It
provides pilots with subscription-free in-ight weather and trafc and is
a source of accurate WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) GPS
position� It receives ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast)
FIS-B (weather information),TIS-B (trafc information), and other related
data and broadcasts it to compatible ight apps via a Wi-Fi network.
Stratus 3 also includes AHRS (attitude heading reference system), a ight
data recorder, and pressure altitude sensor. See pages 20 and 21 for more
information about these features�
Stratus portable receivers are classied as PEDs (Personal Electronic
Devices) and complement the instrument panel in your aircraft� If there
is a discrepancy between the receiver and the instrument panel, use the
readings on your instrument panel�

5
Stratus 3 Interface
LED INDICATORS CHARGING PORT
MODEL
GPS ANTENNA PORT
ADS-B
ANTENNA PORT
POWER BUTTON
AMBIENT LIGHT
SENSOR

6
Product Registration
Your receiver is automatically registered with the retailer after purchase�
The Stratus Portable Receiver Limited Warranty is valid one year after
the receiver is shipped from the retailer and is non-transferable�
Compatible Accessories
Visit Sporty’s or the Appareo web store for compatible Stratus portable
receiver accessories, including mounts, remote antennas, and chargers.
Compatible Flight Apps
Stratus 3 is optimized for Stratus Horizon Pro and Foreight Mobile, but
also offers a GDL 90 interface for third-party apps when Open ADS-B
mode is enabled in the settings page of Stratus Horizon Pro.
Stratus Horizon Pro displays AHRS information when connected to
Stratus 3� The app also provides ATC audio playback and transcription
features to Stratus portable receivers and other devices�
ForeFlight Mobile displays AHRS, ADS-B weather and ADS-B trafc. Other
Stratus 3 compatible features include Synthetic Vision, pressure altitude,
and ight data recording. For more information about ForeFlight Mobile,
refer to the ForeFlight Mobile Pilot’s Guide�
NOTE: You must download Stratus Horizon Pro to apply Stratus 3
rmware updates and enable open ADS-B mode.

7
Charging the Battery
WARNING: Using other battery chargers voids the warranty and may
result in decreased battery performance, permanent damage to the USB
port, or inoperability of the receiver.
The receiver comes with a Type-A to Type-C USB charging cable�
Fully charge the receiver’s battery prior to rst use. To charge the battery:
1� Insert the charging cord’s Type-A USB plug into the wall charger’s
USB port�
2� Plug the Type-C USB plug into the receiver’s charging port� The plug
can be plugged in with either side facing up�
3� Plug the wall charger into an electric wall outlet� The receiver requires
a 2.0 amp charger, which most computer ports do not supply.
When connected to an external power source, the power LED will
ash. You can also view the battery level in Stratus Horizon Pro or
ForeFlight Mobile.
Type-A Type-C

8
Using Stratus 3 at High Temperatures
Stratus 3 does not operate optimally if the temperature is higher than 95°F
(35°C)� The functionality of the receiver changes when the temperature
exceeds 113°F (45°C), as shown in the table below.
Temperature When unplugged When plugged in
above
113°F (45°C )
functional
functional, but will not charge
above 140°F (60°C)
powers off functional, but will not charge
152°F (67°C )
powers off powers off
Extending iPad Battery Life
To extend your iPad battery life, enable Stratus Replay in ForeFlight
Mobile� This allows the iPad to sleep or switch to a different app� Once
you return to ForeFlight Mobile, the receiver will automatically send any
missed ADS-B weather information to the app�

9
Battery Care
The receiver can run off of battery power for about eight hours when it is
new� Use the following guidelines for maximum battery lifespan�
• Do not store the receiver in environments where temperatures are
more than 113°F (45°C) or are lower than -4°F (-20°C)�
• Do not store the receiver for long periods of time without charging�
This can permanently damage the overall battery capacity�
• The receiver contains a fan inside the battery compartment that will
turn on if the battery reaches a high temperature� The fan draws
ambient air in through vents on the front of the receiver and pushes
out warm air through vents on the back�
• The receiver contains a lithium battery� Do not disassemble the
receiver� Do not incinerate or puncture the receiver or the battery�
• Dispose of the receiver in accordance with local requirements for the
recycling of electronic appliances and batteries�
• Check with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules before
carrying the receiver on checked luggage�
It is normal for a lithium battery to lose capacity after many charge and
discharge cycles or if it is subjected to high temperatures� A battery
replacement kit for Stratus 3 can be purchased from Appareo or Sporty’s�

10
Mounting Stratus 3
You can mount Stratus 3 with a dash mount, window mount, or connect it
to an external antenna�
Connected to a
remote ADS-B antenna*
Window mounted*
Dash mounted
*Available from your Stratus retailer
ForeFlight
PN: 153510-000008
Contains FCC ID: YOPGS2100MIP
This system incorporates elements of the UBR technology developed
by the Mitre Corporation on behalf of the U.S. Government
Direction of Flight
SSID: [Your Wi-Fi network name here]
ForeFlight
PN: 153510-000008
Contains FCC ID: YOPGS2100MIP
This system incorporates elements of the UBR technology developed
by the Mitre Corporation on behalf of the U.S. Government
Direction of Flight
SSID: [Your Wi-Fi network name here]

11
Placing Stratus 3 in Aircraft
Do not turn on Stratus 3 until it has been mounted so that it can
calibrate correctly.
Using the dash mount
1� Place the dash mount on the aircraft dash�
2� Place Stratus 3 in the dash mount so that the arrow on
the bottom of the receiver points in the direction of ight.
The front of the receiver should be as close to the pilot as
possible so that it can draw air from the cabin�
Using a window mount
1� Install the mount on a window inside the aircraft�
2� Orient Stratus 3 so that the arrow on the bottom of the
receiver points in the direction of ight. Lean Stratus 3
against the longer arm of the mount’s cradle�
If the receiver is facing the wrong direction, AHRS data
will be incorrect and the chance of overheating will be
signicantly increased.
3� Press on the top of the receiver until it snaps into place in the
cradle, as shown in the gure on the following page.
ForeFlight
PN: 153510-000008
Contains FCC ID: YOPGS2100MIP
This system incorporates elements of the UBR technology developed
by the Mitre Corporation on behalf of the U.S. Government
Direction of Flight
SSID: [Your Wi-Fi network name here]

12
Using a remote antenna
Place Stratus 3 in a location where the arrow on the bottom of the receiver
points in the direction of ight. When used with an optional remote
antenna, the receiver can be placed in any part of the aircraft that allows
the antenna cables to reach the receiver�
Refer to the following pages for instructions to install and connect remote
GPS and ADS-B antennas�
1
2
Inserting receiver into window mount

13
Installing Remote Antennas
Stratus 3 has internal ADS-B and GPS antennas; however, remote ADS-B
and GPS antennas are also available from your Stratus retailer� These
antennas may improve the receiver’s reception quality and provide more
receiver mounting options�
Installing a remote GPS antenna
Place the remote GPS antenna in a
location inside your aircraft that provides
an unobstructed view of the sky (GPS
satellites)� Secure the antenna to the aircraft
with the magnet on the antenna�
Installing a remote ADS-B antenna
Place the remote ADS-B antenna in a location inside your
aircraft that provides an unobstructed view of the ground
(ADS-B ground stations)� Secure the antenna to the
aircraft with the included suction cups�

14
Connecting Remote Antennas to Stratus 3
WARNING: Make sure that you connect the antenna to the correct
Stratus 3 port� Inserting an antenna connector into an incorrect port may
result in permanent damage to the port or the antenna�
WARNING: Do not pinch or bend the external GPS cable, especially
near the antenna� This could damage the cable and cause interference
between the antenna and other on-board GPS receivers� The cable’s
minimum bend radius is 1 inch�
The ports labeled GPS and ADS-B on the side of Stratus 3 are for remote
antennas� Insert the remote antenna cable connector into its respective
receiver port�
Remote antenna ports

15
Turning Receiver On or Off
After mounting, press the power button to power on the receiver. All LED
indicators will briey illuminate red and then green as the receiver powers
on and auto-calibrates. If Stratus 3 is moved after being powered on, it
must be re-calibrated in Stratus Horizon Pro or ForeFlight Mobile.
Using Auto Power-On and Power-Off
By default, Stratus 3 will power on only when the power button is pushed.
It will automatically power off if no GPS lock has been achieved in 30
minutes or the aircraft is moving less than 5 knots for 30 minutes� This can
be disabled in Stratus Horizon Pro or ForeFlight Mobile.
You can enable Stratus 3 to automatically power-on whenever the receiver
receives power by enabling the Turn on When Plugged In switch in the
Stratus Horizon Pro settings page or ForeFlight Mobile Stratus Status
page. For more information about adjusting receiver settings, see page 19.
NOTE: If the receiver automatically powered on but you removed external
power, the receiver functions differently depending on your aircraft speed.
• Traveling under 5 knots: receiver powers off after two minutes�
• Traveling over 5 knots: receiver stays on and uses battery power�
To override the automatic power-off, press the power button after removing
external power�

16
Reading LED Indicators
Label LED Color LED Status Meaning
GPS
Green Solid 3-D GPS lock achieved
Yellow
Solid 2-D GPS lock achieved
Flashing No GPS lock, searching for signal
Off Off Receiver is powered off
Power
Green
Flashing 100% battery; plugged in
Solid 20% to 99% battery; not charging
Yellow
Flashing Battery is charging
Solid 5% to 19% battery; not charging
Red
Solid 1% to 4% battery; not charging
Flashing Connected to an incompatible charger, or
charger is unable to provide sufcient power
Flashing for
ve seconds
Receiver does not have sufcient battery
power to power on or stay on
Off Off No external power is being received, receiver
is powered off

17
Label LED Color LED Status Meaning
ADS-B
Green Solid ADS-B FIS-B signal has been received from
multiple towers in the past three seconds
Yellow Solid ADS-B FIS-B signal has been received from
one tower in the past three seconds
Off Off ADS-B FIS-B signal has not been received in
the past three seconds
All
indicators
Briey red
then green Solid Receiver is powering on and calibrating
Red Flashing Built-in-test failure� Contact your original retailer
for assistance
Yellow
Flashing
Installing rmware update
Solid Applying rmware update
Green
Solid for two
seconds Firmware update complete
Off for ve
seconds,
then ashing
Power button is pressed. After 30 seconds,
factory reset process begins
Green to
yellow to
green
Solid Factory reset is complete

18
Connecting to Stratus 3
Your tablet or phone must be connected to the Stratus Wi-Fi network
(not Bluetooth) for the receiver to communicate with the app� Multiple
devices in the cockpit may be connected to the receiver at the same time�
Receiver Wi-Fi network security can be congured in ForeFlight Mobile.
NOTE: The Stratus Wi-Fi network provides a wireless connection between
the receiver and ight apps. It does not provide an internet connection.
1� Tap the Settings icon on your tablet or phone’s home screen�
2� Tap Wi-Fi�
3� Make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled. Tap the Stratus wireless network,
displayed under Choose a Network, to connect� Your Wi-Fi
network name is on the label on the back of your receiver�
When your tablet or phone is connected to the Stratus wireless
network, a checkmark will appear next to the network name.
4� If you’re ying with an app other than ForeFlight Mobile or
Stratus Horizon Pro, enable Open ADS-B mode in Stratus
Horizon Pro.
5� Conrm that the receiver is connected. Navigate to the settings
page of Stratus Horizon Pro or the Stratus Status page of
ForeFlight Mobile� See page 19 for more information on
adjusting receiver settings�
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