The FAA has issued a statement of policy for pilots flying aircraft not equipped with ADS-B Out after Jan. 1, 2020, to receive ATC authorization to fly in ADS-B airspace.
However, agency officials emphasized the policy is not an alternative to equipping, nor should aircraft owners expect such authorizations to be a frequent occurrence.
“These per-operation authorizations are not intended to support routine operations of non-equipped aircraft in airspace covered by the rule,” the agency said in its April 1 announcement. “The FAA anticipates that operators who routinely fly in airspace covered by the ADS-B rule are taking the necessary steps to equip in order to ensure there is no disruption to their operations.”
Once the ADS-B mandate goes into effect, aircraft owners seeking to fly in airspace covered by the rule, but whose aircraft are not equipped with ADS-B Out avionics, must request authorization to operate in that airspace at least one hour prior to their proposed flight.
Operating in ADS-B airspace without obtaining such authorization will be considered a violation. The authorization process is distinct from receiving clearance from ATC to operate in airspace requiring ADS-B, officials with the National Business Aviation Association noted.
“The policy is very clear: These per-flight authorizations should absolutely not be viewed as a backup option to ADS-B or justification for not equipping,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA director, air traffic services and infrastructure. “Such authorizations are primarily intended for operators awaiting their scheduled ADS-B installation past the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline, or for pilots who infrequently operate in the affected airspace.”
The FAA further emphasized that such authorizations may be difficult to receive for non-ADS-B equipped operations near “capacity-constrained airports,” including:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- McCarran International Airport (LAS)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Williams said she expected the agency to unveil a web-based resource in the coming months for aircraft owners to submit their requests and receive authorizations, with an emphasis on same-day operations. Authorizations will not be issued by calling the FAA or any ATC facility, she added.
“The majority of the FAA’s guidance speaks to scheduled operators, but it also applies to Part 135 and Part 91,” she said. “The FAA’s message remains the same as before: If you plan to routinely fly in this airspace, you’d better plan to have ADS-B.”
This is great. I often see aircraft flying outside of the rules regarding noise and altitude–wouldn’t you know, they almost always do not broadcast in ADS-B mode in ADS-B airspace (outside of mode C zones). This is a way to provide better accountability and trackability. You can make your broadcast ID anonymous to the public. Really a win situation. Cost is something you have to be prepared for when operating personal aircraft in public space.
So the FAA demands we transition to ADS-B, offers what is essentially a gift card to Bennigan’s when you factor in the cost of equipment and installation as a way to “compensate” aircraft owners, and now sets up website that is basically a trap in order to generate revenue based on how many people use it and how often. And they also wonder why everyone hates the FAA.
Been installing and flying ADS-B aircraft since 2016. For the most important part it seems to be very useful, but on many occasions while flying I have had what seems to be ghost aircraft where you spend a lot of time outside looking for aircraft that air on the screen but you never actually see, and according to the screen should be passing by close enough to have a visual. All I’m saying is technology is great but don’t forget how to be Aviators. Be safe
I believe in progress with the new technology. The GPS is a Wonder of the world! And now ADSB. I always wanted to see weather more than anything ,it has happened! Bonus get winds aloft and see some aircraft. I have never owned anything but experimentals and Aeronca type aircraft last 45 years. flew yesterday. I use a Stratus ADSB in works great! My next hope is to get A low cost portable device to show up on ADSB. I know they exist a year ago. I would like to be seen! I have two non electrical planes. There are 10 of thousands out there! Never had any problems ever without adsb. My only problem with all the technology is. Taking my eyes temporarily from looking for traffic while looking at the screens!!!
This is Dave that made comment above. I have 1 correction. I use Stratux ADS-B in Not Stratus.
The Furor has spoken!
Is it about safety or big brother wanting to know exactly who is up there? Why throw up roadblocks FAA? They can release the information now not just to ADSB Out aircraft. Why can experimentals fly in the same airspace as a 1956 172 but the 172 has to spend 1/3 to 1/2 more just for a certified version? For us small aircraft set a standard and let us meet it.
ADS-B is great. I installed it in my aircraft back in 2016. Now I see all kinds of aircraft I did not see before. I even get alerts when aircraft get to close! That gives me a place to look for aircraft I may have missed. I have in/out so also get weather along with seeing where other aircraft that are on radar. Very nice system!
There seems to be a lot of love/hate when it comes to ADS-B. Anytime I read or hear about ADS-B, I’m reminded of a recent training I took in which the instructor really emphasized that one of the driving forces behind ADS-B is to implement a system that will eventually help reduce the minimum separation distances in our ever more congested airspace. Yes, ADS-B is expensive now, but I believe that as it becomes more mainstream it will become more affordable. Implementing a more robust and redundant system for the sake of safety seems like a reasonable cost. Just my two cents worth.
What about us with non-electical system aircraft like the Champ or Cub. Are we all going to be grounded? Is there some provision for operating these aircraft?
Why should you or anyone else be allowed to be invisible to others in the sky?
No one any more invisible now than they ever have been.
Just came from a safety meeting…..Aircraft with no electrical system are exempt from getting ADS-B
Non-electrical aircraft will be able to fly just like you’re doing now. No change.
Trig TT22 Transponder w/ Their TN70 ADS-D out. It’s about safety for me. Seen more aircraft above 10k where we waved at each other.
No offense, but you’ll probably run out of gas before reaching 10k. Just stay in class E & G airspace.
Man I hope all the non electrical planes get grounded. Not having a radio or ADS-B in this day and age is dangerous to all off us. I can make every all on a pilot controlled airport and if you don’t hear me, there is a high chance of you colliding into me.
this is a complete waste of time for private pilots! the system is more than $5,000 to put on an aircraft it worth about $15000 to $25000 .
enough is enough with all the stupid regulation! they are assuming that we are all stupid and don’t know what we are doing.
we are not flying airliners we are flying small airplanes for fun.
You are a large object flying in the sky. With velocity. You share the roads too…should you be allowed to do that without brake lights and seat belts?
So following your logic, cars should be required to transmit their location and speed to a central computer that can mail out traffic violations as we earn them. Why should an automobile driver get away with speeding just because he didn’t get seen by a police officer?
There is a very low
Cost alternative , Uvionix
Less that 2k and 10 min install and you can get your IA to sign off
You don’t need to install ADS-B, unless you want to fly in the ADS-B rule airspace.
Sure, definitely fly the general aviation aircraft for fun….just do so safely, competently and with a keen awareness that we’re not impervious to the inherent and ever present dangers, be they as they may. Just plain truth??
Skybeakon, 10 minute installation, $1849.00, assuming you already have a mode C transponder.
I wish I could equip for $5,000! I have a 2004 airplane and the quote I got from the factory was over $15,000.
Here we go. The mandate is not a mandate after all is it? The FAA is impotent. Drones pose a real risk yet all they do is ask drone owners to register. No technology to keep them away from aircraft with people in them. Now this….should we have expected more? Nah…the government takes and does not perform.
Yep, gbigs got it right. As for some of the comments above, Snickers “high chance of collision”, no higher chance than December 31, 2019. It can be a good tool, it is still way too expensive for most people who fly for fun and recreation, imo. Over time it will become like the GPS used to be, very expensive at first, now ubiquitous; Maybe an app for your phone?