Committee: ADS-B ‛In’ Not Currently Justified

An advisory committee chartered by the Federal Aviation Administration has said it does not support an equipage mandate for ADS-B In at this time.

FAA reauthorization legislation calls for an ADS-B 'In' mandate by 2020, contradicting an aviation rulemaking committee recommendation to FAA. (Courtesy: Honeywell)

By Bill Carey

November 21, 2011

Operators in the U.S. are required to equip their aircraft for automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) “Out” capability by 2020. But an advisory committee chartered by the FAA has said it does not support an equipage mandate for corresponding ADS-B “In” capability at this time because the investment in displays and onboard computing cannot be justified.

The report of the ADS-B In aviation rulemaking committee (ARC), released November 17, recommends that the FAA use operational demonstrations by airlines—including US Airways, United-Continental, UPS and JetBlue Airways—to further develop equipment standards, certification guidance and approvals needed for ADS-B In. It says the FAA should prioritize ADS-B In applications by order of maturity and operational impact, starting with cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI)-assisted visual separation, which should be readied for implementation in 2012 using current avionics. Traffic situation awareness with alerts and oceanic in-trail procedures follow in 2013.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.