WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA today announced the completion of a nationwide infrastructure upgrade that will enable air traffic controllers to track aircraft with greater accuracy and reliability, while giving pilots more information in the cockpit. This upgrade is a key improvement in the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
“This upgrade is an important step in laying the foundation for the NextGen system, which provides controllers a much more precise view of the airspace, gives pilots much more awareness and information, and as a result strengthens the safety and efficiency of our system,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This state-of-the-art satellite system is already providing controllers with visibility in places not previously covered by radar.”
The nationwide installation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) radio network supports a satellite-based surveillance system that tracks aircraft with the help of GPS. This provides more accurate aircraft location information than the current radar system, according to FAA officials.
NextGen refers to a set of initiatives being implemented by the FAA in collaboration with the aviation community. In addition to ADS-B, NextGen improvements are already delivering benefits that include more efficient air traffic procedures that save time and fuel and reduce emissions, FAA officials said.
“The installation of this radio network clears the way for air traffic controllers to begin using ADS-B to separate equipped aircraft nationwide,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. “It will also provide pilots flying aircraft equipped with the proper avionics with traffic information, weather data and other flight information.”
Of the 230 air traffic facilities across the country, 100 are currently using this system to separate traffic. It is expected to be connected and operating at all 230 facilities by 2019. All aircraft operating in controlled airspace must be equipped with ADS-B Out avionics that broadcast the plane’s location by Jan. 1, 2020.
With the upgraded surveillance and broadcast system and aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out transponders, aircraft positions on controller screens update almost continuously, compared to every 4.7 seconds or longer with radar.
ADS-B also enables more accurate tracking of airplanes and airport vehicles on runways and taxiways, increasing safety and efficiency. The new system improves surveillance capability in areas with geographic challenges like mountains or over water, FAA officials note.
Airplanes equipped with ADS-B In, which is not currently mandated, will give pilots information through cockpit displays about location in relation to other aircraft, bad weather and terrain, and temporary flight restrictions.
In addition to the operational benefits of ADS-B, each one of the 634 ground stations installed by Exelis of McLean, Va., is substantially smaller than a radar installation , resulting in less impact to the environment and less cost to maintain, according to FAA officials.
For more information: FAA.gov
“Big Brother” will now be able to identify your airplane by it’s number and fine you much easier than before if you happen to inadvertantly bust some regulation.
I believe What Nex Gen is really about is more regulation and government control of the airspace to facilitate the influx of 30,000+ drones forecast to be in operation in the next 5-10 yrs . I see a conflict brewing between GA and Corporate/Government interest .
Just thinking out loud !
So when will ADS-B receivers become economically practical? All this NexGen stuff doesn’t mean squat until GA pilots can afford to put them in their planes.
That’s great news! The FAA is finally replacing their 1940’s technology with 1980’s technology! Can’t believe they’re using real satellites! Next Gen! Yay!
Actually Roy FAA is not using satellites to track airplanes. You are. Your gps sends position information via ADS-B out to a FAA antenna on the ground. From there it probably goes by mostly telephone line to where ever.
Good point. Don’t want to rush that technology. If it was good enough for Marconi and Bell, it should be good enough for the FAA!