18 Month Left Before ADS-B Equipage Deadline

ADS-B must be equipped in aircraft by January 1, 2020.  Does your inventory reflect this change?

In May 2010, the FAA published a final rule that required all aircraft flying in designated controlled airspace must be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast (ADS–B) Out avionics on aircraft operating in Classes A, B, and C airspace, as well as certain other specified classes of airspace within the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).

ADS–B Out broadcasts information about an aircraft through an onboard transmitter to a ground receiver. The FAA expected use of ADS–B Out to help in moving our air traffic control system from a radar-based system to a satellite-derived aircraft location system.  Today, air traffic control facilities across the country are already using ADS-B to separate traffic.

Only aircraft that fly in uncontrolled airspace, and aircraft without electrical systems, such as balloons and gliders, are exempt from the ADS-B mandate.

ADS-B Out reflects the transmitted information about the aircraft, its position, and its heading.  There is also an ADS-B In, which uses the ADS-B receiver to obtain information useful to the pilot.  ADS-B In equipment allows aircraft, when equipped properly, to receive and interpret other participating aircraft’s ADS-B Out data on a computer screen or an Electronic Flight Bag in the cockpit.

Many companies have already installed ADS-B equipment, but if you have customers that have not done so, then now is the time to help them make the transition before the deadline (which is only 18 months away).  If you or your business partners have any questions about equipage then you can find answers on the FAA’s Equip ADS-B webpage.  For more information about the technology, visit the FAA’s ADS-B website.