PRESS RELEASE
RADIANT Technology

WICHITA, Kansas – July 17, 2026 – When a critical LED used in RADIANT Technology’s original carbon monoxide detectors became unavailable, the easy answer would have been to find the closest substitute, restart the old design, and move on. We chose not to do that.

The interruption gave us an opportunity to ask a better question about the pilot experience. What should the next CO-USB tell the pilot—not only when CO is present, but also while the sensor is starting, when the detector is ready, and if something inside it is no longer working correctly?

About 1,500 CO-USB legacy CO alarms have made their way into the field. That told us something important: a very small, affordable, USB-powered active CO detector could earn a permanent place in the cockpit.

After answering our critical questions, we are announcing the new CO-USB-A and CO-USB-C. These allow pilots to choose either a cable-free USB-A Direct Plug version or a USB-C Cable Version, which can be positioned elsewhere in the pilot’s normal field of view.

“The original proved that pilots wanted a small, inexpensive active CO detector they could leave powered with the airplane,” said founder James Wiebe. “The new CO-USB-A and CO-USB-C keep that use case, solve mounting visibility issues, and add the factory calibration we always wished the original could have.”

Wiebe goes into greater detail about the process in his blog, “The CO-USB Is Back. We Learned a Few Things.”

CO-USB-C and CO-USB-A add these features:

• Two-sided green, yellow, and red indications with stronger presentation as CO rises
• Individual calibration before shipment by RADIANT
• Automatic day/night brightness control
• A brief startup check and warm-up indication
• A 9 mm-thick body, excluding the connector, with a diameter slightly larger than a quarter
• USB-A direct-plug or USB-C cable-placement installation choices

Each unit is individually tested and calibrated in the USA by RADIANT — not by a subcontractor or vendor — to provide a reliable indication of carbon monoxide levels.

An introductory price of $29.95 is offered through August 31, 2026. First units ship in August. Paid preorders reserve a place in the shipping queue. Units ship in the order received as they complete calibration. Purchasing and complete details are available at https://www.radiantinstruments.com/product-page/co-usb.

CO-USB-A and CO-USB-C are visual-only supplemental portable advisory devices. They are not TSO- or PMA-approved, are not a residential alarm, and must be installed in the pilot’s normal field of view.

About RADIANT Technology

RADIANT Technology designs practical, affordable instruments and safety products for experimental, ultralight, light-sport, and general aviation. The company is based in Wichita, Kansas, and is led by pilot and inventor James Wiebe.

About James Wiebe

James Wiebe is a serial entrepreneur, with RADIANT Technology being his latest startup (or startover). In the 80s and 90s, James grew Newer Technology into the largest Macintosh CPU upgrade company on the planet (over 250,000 computer accelerators sold while competing face-to-face with Apple).  In 2000, James started and eventually sold WiebeTech, a forensic technology company. Customers included the CIA and the FBI. James holds four patents and is an instrument-rated pilot with about 2100 flight hours in many different aircraft.

Please note: Image is an illustration. Actual shipping product image may vary.

All information, including specs, claims, pricing and availability is subject to change without notice. Trademarks are held by their respective owners.