Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013 - 61

PILOT’S GUIDE

n May 2010, after years of field tests, rulemaking proposals and public comment, the FAA finalized and published its mandate for ADS-B compliance. ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, and it forms the backbone of the FAA’s emerging NextGen air traffic management system. The “dependent” part of ADS-B means that those of us operating in the ATC environment will ultimately depend on other aircraft in the surrounding airspace to make their identity, position, track, airspeed, etc. known – by broadcasting these parameters via ADS-B Out technology. With this interactive surveillance capability, NextGen air navigation will transition from a ground-based radar system to a space-based, satellite-derived aircraft tracking system. The FAA says the system will enhance safety and pilot situational awareness – while reducing congestion, noise, emissions and fuel consumption through more efficient routing and resource management. Implementing ADS-B will take time and money. In fact, the FAA has estimated the total cost to equip the GA fleet could run as high as $4.5 billion. While there may yet be rule changes, it’s clear that this technology is on its way in some form. And, at some point during the next few years, every pilot will need some answers about ADS-B compliance. That’s why Garmin and EAA Sport Aviation have teamed up to produce a briefing on what the FAA rules require – and what hardware solutions currently exist. We suggest you start with the following seven key questions: 1. WHY?
Why is ADS-B considered better than radar? For one thing, it’s a far more accurate surveillance system. And, it updates much faster. Today, most long-range radar dishes take 12 seconds to rotate. So, ATC controllers must wait 12 seconds for aircraft positions to update. (Near airports, with faster-turning radars, the updates are every 5 seconds.) To compensate for this time lag, controllers must maintain wider separation between aircraft. However, with ADS-B, controllers’ displays can be updated approximately once every second, so there’s less lag – and more capacity – built into the system. With the addition of ADS-B In technology, pilots can see “the big picture” and monitor the same traffic targets that ground controllers are tracking on their displays. Thus, pilots are better able to anticiContinued on following page…

pate traffic flow decisions and help maintain their own spacing – with fewer directives from ATC.

2. WHO?
Who will need ADS-B? The short answer: Most of us who use ATC services – that is, pilots who now must have a Mode C transponder to fly in the airspace they use. Even if you don’t fly IFR, your ability to obtain VFR traffic advisories and transition through most ATC radar-controlled airspace will require that you have ADS-B Out capability onboard. However, pilots who do not need a transponder now (because of where they fly, or the type of airplane they fly) will not need ADS-B under the new rules.

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Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2012-2013