ADS-B Out Deadline: Your Questions Answered

Question: Is the traffic information I receive on my "ADS-B In" a system limited if I am not "ADS-B Out" equipped?

Answer: The answer is ‘yes.’

ADS-B In is a great capability, but it does have limitations that every pilot should understand. The full capabilities of ADS-B In are only realized when aircraft are properly equipped with ADS-B Out transmitting on either of the two approved frequencies, 1090Mhz or 978Mhz.ADS-B In systems displays targets from three sources: same frequency ADS-B (often called link), different link ADS-B through ADS-B Re-broadcast (ADS-R), and from transponder-only aircraft via Traffic Information System – Broadcast (TIS-B).

In order to provide your ADS-B In equipped aircraft with the nearby traffic via ADS-R or TIS-B, the FAA ground system has to “know” about your aircraft and the aircraft around you. Your aircraft has to have a properly functioning ADS-B Out system. For TIS-B, your aircraft must be within airspace where surveillance radar is operating and detecting transponder-only aircraft.

Now consider the impact on different configurations. ADS-B In Only Single or Dual Link: If you are equipped with only ADS-B In (no ADS-B Out) and receiving on a single link, say 978Mhz, you can only expect to see nearby traffic broadcasting ADS-B Out on 978Mhz. If you are equipped with only ADS-B In receiving both links (dual link), you’ll be able to see ADS-B Out aircraft on either link directly.

However, unless you are in the vicinity of a properly configured ADS-B Out aircraft, you will not receive ADS-R or TIS-B targets (such information will be tailored for the other aircraft, not for yours).ADS-B In Single Link and ADS-B Out: If you are equipped with ADS-B Out (either link) and receiving ADS-B In on a single link, you will receive traffic on your receiving link directly from the aircraft.

When the FAA ground system can see you, you will also receive traffic information on the other link through ADS-R and nearby transponder-only aircraft via TIS-B. ADS-B In Dual Link and ADS-B Out: If you are equipped with ADS-B Out (either link) and receiving ADS-B In on both links, you will receive ADS-B Out traffic on both links directly, and when the FAA ground system can see you, nearby transponder-only aircraft via TIS-B.

If you are not equipped with ADS-B Out, you are not benefitting fully from the capabilities of the ADS-B system. Refer to the Aeronautical Information Manual (Chapter 4, Section 5) for more information on these capabilities. www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/Don’t Get Left in the Hangar. Equip Now! For more information, please visit the Equip ADS-B website at www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/

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ADS-B Available for More Avidyne Avionics

Aviation International News is reporting that Avidyne is now offering software that facilitates ADS-B upgrades for aircraft equipped with its EX5000 and EX500/600 multifunction displays and Entegra R9 flight decks, including display of ADS-B In traffic on Entegra-equipped aircraft.

The software update includes R8.2 for the EX5000 and R4.2 for the EX500/EX600. With this software upgrade, those MFDs can display ADS-B In FIS-B weather when coupled with Avidyne’s SkyTrax 100 ADS-B In receiver and TIS-B traffic with data delivered via Arinc 429/735. The software also allows installation of third-party ADS-B In receivers, including L3’s Lynx NGT-9000, Garmin’s GTX 345, FreeFlight’s Rangr-RX, and other Capstone/735-compatible receivers, according to Avidyne.

For aircraft equipped with an Entegra R9 flight deck, Avidyne’s AXP remote transponder and SkyTrax 100 receiver provide ADS-B Out and In. The R9.4 software upgrade is required to display FIS-B weather and TIS-B traffic on the R9 displays with the SkyTrax 100.

The software upgrades retail for $999, but Avidyne noted, “Some Entegra units may have to be returned to a service facility to have the software upgrade installed.”

Learn more about ADS-B and Avionics Maintenance

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Alpha Air educates pilots and plane owners on ADS-B equipment

Alpha Air hosted pilots and plane owners from around the area to learn what instrumentation they need by 2020.

Planes that have not been upgraded to have ADS-B equipment will be extremely limited on what they can do in 2020 due to a FFA mandate.

"Tonight is an avionics open house. So were helping to educate owners and pilots of the ADS-B requirement in nexgen technology,” says Joshua Crooker, general manager Alpha Air Center.

The automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, or ADS-B, instrumentation tracks planes without using radar.

“Where they're going, climbing or descending, for traffic awareness, and also for search and rescue as well it will help with that,” says Joshua Crooker.

Monday evening Alpha Air Center invited those that fly or own planes to learn about their options when it comes to upgrading their aircraft.

"There's a wide range of solutions that you can do from something simply to just meet the requirement...to a full you can do a full panel re deal,” says Crooker.

Pilot Caleb Baugh came to see what he could possibly use while flying and says that the ADS-B gear is useful when up in the air.

"We have it in another plane that I fly and I absolutely love it. It's really handy. It gives you a lot of situational awareness that isn't there before,” says Caleb Baugh.

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Flying Safely with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast

What is ADS-B or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast? It is something that will soon be the standard broadcast for aircraft and traffic control. It is completely different from radar, and every aircraft flying through airspace must comply with an upgrade to be able to receive this broadcast in the next few years.

Do you need to care about this ADS-B upgrade? Yes. Every aircraft owner needs to upgrade their plane or jet. Unless you fly aircraft exempt from this FAA mandate, your jet needs to be outfitted with the proper transponder so that it can remain compliant and fly in Airspaces A, B or C.

ADS-B works to manage air traffic using GPS. There is an entire network of stations being set up to work with the signals the new ADS-B transponders will emit. While radar stations were once sending information to aircraft, the ADS-B transponders will send information out individually, but they will also be capable of reading back air traffic updates and weather updates.

How do you get your jet to become compliant? That is easy. Bring it to your aviation mechanic or repair expert. They will install all the necessary hardware. In some planes, the existing equipment will only need to be upgraded. Your aviation technician can advise you of what your jet needs to fulfill the requirements set forth by the FAA.

What happens if you are exempt? If you are exempt, you have until 2025 to comply. Even if you have an exemption you may wish to upgrade your jet now. Otherwise, you will need to fly through deviation routes instead of ordinary routes. This could be a big inconvenience for you, so getting the upgrade might be the better option.

Every jet of every size will need to be upgraded. Your mechanic can also advise you on which datalink source to choose. It can get confusing but with the help of an expert in avionics, the upgrade process can be easier.

They can also let you know what recent FAA bulletins there are regarding this matter. These bulletins could impact the choice you need to make for getting your jet up and running with the right ADS-B system.

A lot of jet owners worry about the cost of the upgrade. You will need to incur some expenses, but rather than just upgrade all your hardware yourself take it to a professional mechanic. They can save you money by inspecting the equipment you already have. Some planes have ADS Out links already. This is the first step to upgrading to the correct broadcast.

You need to be compliant to fly your jet safely for your sake and for the sake of your passengers. Every jet owner, large and small, must make the switch by 2020, so you are not alone. Speak with your local aviation mechanic to find out what changes apply to your aircraft. They can let you know exactly what needs to be done and complete the installation for you so you can continue to fly uninterrupted.

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Upgrade Your Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Now

What is ADS-B and do you need to care about it? If you fly any type of aircraft you need to know about it and you should care. This is because, on January 1, 2020, all aircraft must have Mode C transponders in operation. This is according to the FAA.

The FAA's website further indicates that Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast or ADS-B is a crucial stage in the modernization of air traffic. Any aircraft operating in airspace has to be equipped with ADS-B out.

This is true, according to the FAA, for all ADS-B airspace. There will be some exempt aircraft, but these instances will be limited. Most all aircraft of all sizes must have the new transponders.

If this applies to you, you will need to find somewhere to get the transponder installed. Fortunately, this is easy to do. You have local aviation technicians ready to install the equipment for you so that you can remain compliant.

The only airplanes that might be exempt are those that do not have GPS position integrity. Check with the FAA as these exemptions will be assessed by the organization on an individual basis. These planes will still need to be outfitted by compliant devices by 2025. If an exempt aircraft attempts to fly with the use of a SAPT tool they may still be asked to follow certain deviations for various routes.

To avoid being restricted in your flight plans, it is best to get your plane the transponder required. When you bring it to a qualified aviation maintenance and repair location they can check to see what the status of your equipment is for you. You may be able to update an existing system to comply with the ADS-B.

Larger airplanes such as those made by McDonnell Douglas and Boeing will be upgraded according to the ATS upgrade path. Any plane operating in Class A, B or Class C airspace must have ADS-B Out equipment. If you are a small plane or jet owner, you can find out from your mechanic if you need to buy all new hardware.

In some cases, you will not need to replace your RC hardware. The status of the equipment will dictate this. Your avionics maintenance technician will follow any bulletins with this regard so that you have the latest hardware installed in your plane. Different regions and businesses will need to follow different upgrades as per various bulletins.

You may visit the FAA online for details about the upgrades. A trained aviation mechanic near you can be very helpful, however, in helping you determine what you need to update your aircraft. They will find the hardware or the transponder you need and install it for you if this is necessary for your plane.

The cost of the upgrade will depend on what your aircraft needs and what path your plane needs to follow as per the FAA for upgrading compliance. If you meet certain criteria you may find you are exempt. Contact your local aviation repair technician for more details.

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ADS-B Helps In Ensuring Aircraft Monitoring and Safety

With the great increase in air traffic and planes flying all over the world, it has become increasingly necessary to monitor the exact position of all aircraft using airspace, so that accidents can be avoided, and aircraft can fly safely. The high speed of aircraft makes visual methods increasingly unreliable. Airspace is used by commercial, military and private planes all of which function independently and under different jurisdictions. This makes their control and ensuring their safety increasingly difficult.

Here is where ADS-B, a surveillance technology can help to make the task of monitoring that much easier. ADS-B is automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, that is broadcast periodically and helps the movement of an aircraft carrying this system to be continually tracked. This data is available to other aircraft in the vicinity and to air traffic controllers. It does not need radar, which was the previously used surveillance system, that had severe distance and other limitations. The position of the aircraft and its location in terms of geographical position and altitude is constantly displayed on a screen. ADS-B uses a global positioning system or GPS to verify the position of an aircraft. This information is then broadcast at regular intervals. The broadcast will also identify the aircraft, with its unique call sign, and give details of its present velocity and altitude and any other data that is relevant for tracking its movement. The system is also linked to dedicated stations on the ground that then relays the information to air traffic controllers so that they know the position of the aircraft on a real-time basis so that they can guide them correctly in their flight, landing, and takeoff.

The ADS-B system is automatic and requires no input from the pilot of the aircraft or any other device or agency. The system is called dependent because it depends on all its data from the navigation or GPS system of the aircraft. The position of the aircraft, its velocity and altitude and other required data assist the surveillance of the aircraft at all times. All this information is constantly broadcast to ground stations and other aircraft, every half second on a universally common 1090MHz digital data link. These broadcasts will also have the flight number call sign that identifies the aircraft, along with its unique airframe code that each aircraft is given by the ICAO. Positions give the exact latitude and longitude of the position of the aircraft and well as its horizontal position. Barometric and Geometric altitudes are also part of the transmitted data. Other important data needed for ensuring safe distances between aircraft to help to avoid two aircraft being in close proximity is their rate of climb or descent, their ground speed, and track angle. There is also a provision in these systems for emergency broadcasts and special position identification.

Each ground station has a maximum range of 250 nautical miles or approx 290 miles as we generally know them. Ground stations are situated so that they overlap over each other, and on established flight paths so that the aircraft flying remain under constant surveillance.

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