Automatic Dependent Surveillance-broadcast - ADS-B and General Aviation

ADS-B and General Aviation

The automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast system (ADS-B) is an essential part of the planned NextGen airspace upgrade and will create better aircraft visibility at a lower overall cost than before. ADS-B equipment is built to meet one of two sets of US government standards, DO-260B and DO-282B.

By 2020, all aircraft operating in the airspaces listed below will be required to carry equipment that produces an ADS-B out broadcast.

The FAA has published a rule requiring ADS-B transmitters in many types of airspace (ADS-B Out) to take effect on January 1, 2020, but there is no mandate for ADS-B In, which receives data and provides it to in-cockpit displays. The FAA airspace requirements intentionally exclude some airspace that is frequently used by general aviation.

ADS-B will offer increased safety, efficiency and environmental awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers at a lower overall cost that the current radar system. Companies have already begun selling and developing aircraft hardware systems to allow general aviation aircraft owners to equip at an affordable cost. These companies include Avidyne, Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems (a joint venture of L-3 Communications and Thales), Garmin, Intelcan, Rockwell Collins and FreeFlight Systems, http://www.freeflightsystems.com/.

Since the FAA has passed its final ruling on ADS-B, the uncertainty that prevented companies from producing hardware has been removed. The industry is seeing products being developed for all price points, low to high, and competitively priced equipment is nearing approval. As the technology matures more features are also becoming available creating even greater benefits for general aviation users.