1 January 2020. By this date, every aircraft flying in most controlled airspace over the USA will need to be equipped with certified ADS-B Out avionics, or risk being denied access to the airspace.

If you're a pilot or aircraft operator who flies in specific controlled airspace, you need to understand what ADS-B is and what it can do for you.

What is ADS-B?

ADS-B is Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, and it's part of the FAA's NextGen (Next Generation) of navigation enhancements planned for the US National Airspace System (NAS). NextGen replaces ground-based navigational facilities such as radar with satellite-based systems, in an effort to enhance both safety and efficiency in crowded airspace.

ADS-B is defined as:

Automatic - the equipment is always on.

Dependent - the equipment depends on accurate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite inputs for information about the aircraft's position.

Surveillance - the equipment combines positional data with information from the aircraft's systems to determine airspeed, altitude, track, and specific aircraft identification, as well as other parameters. The positions and identification of ground vehicles and other aircraft are also determined.

Broadcast - the equipment continuously transmits the compiled aircraft data to ground stations and other similarly-equipped aircraft.

What equipment is used for the ADS-B system?

On the ground, ADS-B consists of 647 radio stations (as of August 2016), three data control stations, ten regional control stations, and 200 Service Delivery Points (SDPs) located at FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities.

The ground radio stations receive broadcasts on two frequencies from aircraft (1090 MHz and 978 MHz), and transmit this information to ATC facilities while simultaneously re-broadcasting it to other aircraft.

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ADS-B: The Future of Safer Skies

In aircraft, ADS-B Out consists of two pieces of avionics equipment:

1) A Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) GPS receiver;

2) A transceiver or transponder to broadcast the aircraft's information to other aircraft and to ground stations.

In 2007, the FAA completed installation of the 25 WAAS ground stations. Situated in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico, the WAAS network corrects GPS satellite navigation signals and transmits the error correction messages to communication satellites. These satellites then transmit the correction messages to airborne GPS units using GPS frequencies.

The WAAS GPS receiver in the aircraft combines the error correction messages with position information from GPS satellites to generate a very accurate aircraft location.

Location data is then combined with data from the aircraft's onboard system data and broadcast by the transceiver or transponder to the ground radio stations and to other properly-equipped aircraft.

What is ADS-B Out?

If an aircraft is able to broadcast its information, it has “Out” capability. If it is able to receive information from other aircraft and from ground stations, it has ADS-B “In” capability. The FAA is requiring only ADS-B Out capability by 1 January 2020.

In what airspace will ADS-B Out be required?

1) Class A - all airspace at and above 18,000' MSL;2) Class B - within and above airspace designated for Class B airports;3) Class C - within and above airspace designated for Class C airports;4) Class E - within airspace at and above 10,000 MSL over the 48 contiguous US states

and Washington, D.C., but not below 2500' AGL;5) Class E - over the Gulf of Mexico at and above 3000' MSL and within 12 miles of the

US coastline;6) Mode C Veil - within 30 miles of airports listed in 14 CFR 91 Appendix D.

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In general, ADS-B Out will be required in any airspace in which a Mode C transponder is currently required.

If you never fly into this airspace, you won't need to install ADS-B equipment in your aircraft. You also won't need ADS-B if your aircraft was not originally certificated with an electrical system (e.g., balloons and gliders), and it has not subsequently been certificated with an electrical system.

What specific ADS-B equipment is required?

If your aircraft already has a WAAS GPS receiver, you only need to add a transceiver or transponder to meet the requirement.

What type of transponder or transceiver is required?

If you fly in Class A airspace (at and above 18,000' MSL) or outside the US, you'll need a Mode S Extended Squitter (ES) transponder. This transponder is able to broadcast up to 49 aircraft parameters and uses the 1090 MHz frequency.

[Note: A Mode C transponder transmits 3 aircraft parameters, and a basic Mode S transponder transmits 7 aircraft parameters.]

If you remain below 18,000' MSL and within the US, you can either use a Mode S (ES) transponder, or you can combine your existing Mode C or basic Mode S transponder with a Universal Access Transceiver (UAT). The UAT uses the 978 MHz frequency and can also transmit 49 aircraft parameters.

In any case, you'll need a WAAS GPS receiver to supply position data to your transponder or transceiver.

If the deadline for ADS-B isn't until 1 January 2020, why should an aircraft be equipped before that date?

For two reasons: safety and efficiency. Even if you only equip your aircraft for ADS-B Out, you'll be more visible to other aircraft and to ATC. This will enable ATC to reduce separation minima between you and other aircraft, which in turn can reduce the time (and fuel) you spend in the air.

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ADS-B: The Future of Safer Skies

The more information ATC knows about your aircraft, its flight capabilities, and your flight plan, the more efficient a flight route they can clear you to fly, saving you both money (reduced fuel burn, less wear and tear on aircraft components) and time.

In addition, because ADS-B avionics transmit more accurate and more frequent position information, search and rescue operations will be more efficient as well. Current radar sweeps obtain aircraft position information every 3-15 seconds, depending on the radar, but ADS-B avionics broadcast aircraft position information once per second.

What about advances in technology between now and the deadline?

At a minimum, you'll need only a Mode S (ES) transponder and a WAAS GPS receiver. While these may evolve in the next few years, it's unlikely the technology will change significantly in that time. By equipping early, you'll get the benefits of reduced separation and efficient flight paths without too much extra expenditure, if any.

If you currently have a basic Mode S transponder, it may be possible to upgrade it to a Mode S (ES). Check with your avionics installer.

If you currently have a Mode C transponder, you'll need to purchase either a Mode S (ES) transponder or a 978 MHz UAT to complement your Mode C transponder.

[Note: The FAA is retaining current Mode C and Mode S transponder requirements as a backup for ADS-B.]

If only ADS-B Out will be required, why equip for ADS-B In as well?

Basically, the difference between ADS-B In and ADS-B Out is the difference between seeing and being seen. With ADS-B In avionics, you'll see what ATC sees—other aircraft as well as vehicles on the airport surface—and you'll also receive free weather and traffic information.

With only ADS-B Out avionics, you're transmitting your position, but you won't be able to receive position broadcasts from other aircraft, nor can you receive free weather and traffic information.

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ADS-B: The Future of Safer Skies

What equipment is needed for ADS-B In?

For flight in Class A airspace and outside the US, you'll need a WAAS GPS receiver and an ADS-B modified 1090 MHz Mode S (ES) transponder, plus a compatible flight display.

For flight below Class A airspace within the US, you'll need a 978 MHz UAT in addition to a WAAS GPS receiver, plus a compatible flight display. The UAT can be configured to act as both an ADS-B Out transmitter and an ADS-B In receiver, hence the name “transceiver.” You'll also need either a Mode C or Mode S transponder to meet airspace transponder requirements.

What other benefits are there to installing a 978 MHz UAT?

With a compatible flight display, the UAT shows other aircraft, ground vehicles, terrain, and weather information. Weather information is provided free of charge, and includes both textual and graphical information. With a 978 MHz UAT, you can receive:

● METARs (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports)● SPECIs (Special Weather Reports)● TAFs (Terminal Area Forecasts)● NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)● AIRMETs (Airmen's Meteorological Conditions)● SIGMETs (Significant Meteorological Conditions)● Convective SIGMETs● Temporary Flight Restrictions● Special Use Airspace status● Winds and Temperatures Aloft● PIREPs (Pilot Reports)

This information is provided free of charge to aircraft equipped with 978 MHz UAT ADS-B In equipment.

[Note: Free traffic advisories are provided to both 1090 MHz (ES) and 978 MHz UAT ADS-B In equipment users.]

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ADS-B: The Future of Safer Skies

No matter what other equipment you choose to install in your aircraft, by 1 January 2020, at a minimum you must have appropriate ADS-B Out avionics installed in order to fly in designated airspace.

Safety should always be the most important consideration for any flight. Although installing the minimum required ADS-B Out equipment will be legal, if you want to fly in the safest possible skies, it makes sense not only to meet the requirements early, but to include ADS-B In in your equipment list as well.

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Information Compiled from the Following Sources:(Note: all sources correct as of the date of this publication.)

Harris Corporation. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). 2016.Retrieved from: https://www.harris.com/solution/automatic-dependent-surveillance-broadcast-ads-b

For more information, please contact: CriticalNetworksWebInquiry@harris.com

Federal Aviation Administration. Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS-B). (October 26, 2016). Retrieved from: http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/

Federal Aviation Administration. NextGen: Equip ADS-B. (October 6, 2016). Retrieved from:http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/

Federal Aviation Administration. Equip ADS-B: Certified Equipment, approved as of 1 February 2017. (February 13, 2017). Retrieved from: http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/equipment/

Stamper, Wes. (December 1, 2005). Understanding Mode S Technology. Retrieved from:defenseelectronicsmag.com/systems-amp-subsystems/understanding-mode-s-technology

Duncan Aviation Incorporated. (2017). Straight Talk About WAAS. Retrieved from:http://www.duncanaviation.aero/files/straight-talk/Straight_Talk-WAAS.pdf

Duncan Aviation Incorportated. (2017). Straight Talk About ADS-B. Retrieved from: http://www.duncanaviation.aero/resources/straight-talk/ads-b

Garmin, Ltd. Garmin ADS-B Academy. (1996 - 2017). Retrieved from:http://www.garmin.com/us/intheair/ads-b

Garmin, Ltd. Garmin GDL-88. (1996 - 2017). Retrieved from: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod63471.html

14 CFR Part 91

FAA AC 20-165B (ADS-B Out)

FAA AC 20-172A (ADS-B In)

FAA TSO-154c (978 MHz UAT)

FAA TSO-166b (1090 MHz Extended Squitter Transponder)

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Please use the following citation as a reference source:

Longo, Gina. (18 February 2017). Special Report on ADS-B. Retrieved from: http://www.glb2b.com.

Please contact me at gl@glb2b.com if you spot any errors so I can fix them, and please include your reference source if applicable.

©2017 Gina Longo GL B2B Aviation Marketinghttp://www.glb2b.comgl@glb2b.com(+1) 919.475.7347

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About the author:

Gina Longo logged nearly 15 years in the aviation industry as both a pilot and instructor. She spent 10 years as an airline pilot in the United States, with eight in the left seat as Captain.

She also worked in her airline's training department as a Crew Resource Management (CRM) facilitator before exchanging flight controls for the control panel to teach corporate pilots as an instructor in the United Kingdom.

An experienced writer professionally trained in creating both B2B and web marketing copy, Gina is the owner of GL B2B Aviation Marketing.

She specializes in helping small airports connect with business, customers, and communities.

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ADS-B: The Future of Safer Skies