Sporty’s Launches Stratus 3 : Media Center

Sporty’s Launches Stratus 3

More features, low introductory price

Stratus 3 adds new features and additional app support, plus a $200 price reduction.

Today Sporty’s introduced Stratus 3, the latest generation of aviation’s best selling and most trusted weather receiver. Over the last six years, pilots have logged millions of hours with Stratus in everything from antique taildraggers to military fighter jets, using Stratus to make smarter in-flight decisions. The new model includes popular features like subscription-free weather, dual band ADS-B traffic, GPS, and backup attitude information, plus additional app options and a new low price.

“With our partners Appareo and ForeFlight, Sporty’s keeps making a great unit better,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “Pilots have asked for more features and more flexibility, and we’re happy to deliver both – plus an amazing price.”

Stratus 3 has an introductory price of $699, which is $200 less than Stratus 2S, but still enhancing features and performance. In fact, pilots will find thoughtful additions like an automatic shutoff mode that senses the conclusion of a flight, thus saving battery life.

Another new feature is smart WiFi, which allows pilots to use the iPad’s LTE connection while connected to Stratus 3, ideal for last-minute flight plan changes on the ground. What’s more, pilots can now hide the Stratus WiFi network or make it password-protected, a critical feature for airline and military pilots.

Stratus 3 can also take advantage of some new features from the FAA and ForeFlight. It will receive five new ADS-B products when they start broadcasting later this year, including echo tops, lightning, icing and turbulence forecasts, Center Weather Advisories, and G-AIRMETs. ADS-B traffic is also better than ever, with a 3D display of nearby targets in ForeFlight’s updated synthetic vision view.

Additional app support

Stratus 3 was designed to integrate seamlessly with ForeFlight and pilots will appreciate the deep integration. Complete status information is available right on the moving map page, including ADS-B reception, AHRS performance, and battery status. Plus, Stratus Replay allows ForeFlight users to turn off their iPad screens without missing weather updates. There’s even a built-in flight data recorder that automatically tracks every flight.

Stratus 3 also supports a variety of other aviation apps, both on iOS and Android, using the industry standard GDL 90 protocol. This allows other apps to display weather, traffic, GPS position, and attitude from Stratus 3.

With the introductory price of $699, Stratus 3 [6647A] comes with a dash mount, charging cable, wall outlet charging plug, and Stratus Pilot Guide. Stratus 3 will be on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at booth #3147 in Hangar C and at Sporty’s tent, just outside of Hangar B. Stratus 3 may also be purchased at sportys.com/stratus or by calling 800-SPORTYS.