Airplanes R Us: The ADS-B Equipment Rule Is Upon Us

If you are a flyer or maintainer, you have been advised by many different channels of the ADS-B mandate. It became U.S. aeronautical law as the new year dawned. Some questions/answers about ADS-B operation are yet to be clarified but the reality is here-and-now.

In a previous newsletter column (May 2019), I wrote about “it” before-the-fact. I reread my column … and I distill it (as follows) with list and sprinkles of new information:

1. ADS-B OUT. You must have it to fly in certain defined airspace. Installation takes some time and $$ a) If you already have it, you can operate same as before mandate. Operation is mostly transparent 2) ADS-B OUT Equipment. It must be hard-wire installed, and tested within the airspace system 3) ADS-B IN Equipment. Optional, often portable. Can provide flight info on tablet or iPad platforms. 4) GRANDFATHERED AIRPLANES. Those without electric systems, ADS-B not possible 5) ADS-B “bandito”. Slang. Airplane not equipped. Pilot should operate clear of defined airspace 6) FLIGHT INFORMATION ENTRY form. Looks like and filed like a flight plan form. Use this to request entry or passage through defined airspace, for non-ADS-B aircraft * 7) LOCAL AIRSPACE which is DEFINED AIRSPACE (needing ADS-B).

a) Above us, 10,000’ and greater b) Whidbey (KNUW) Class C airspace, and above it c) Towards Seattle, anything within 30-mile radius, and above it * My item “6” above does provide a method to enter defined airspace without ADS-B. If you are not equipped or have INOP equipment, you can obtain permission. It could be complicated and requires a process similar to filing a flight plan. Popup radio clearances are not possible according to the publications. Refer to or Google FAA.gov.forms (subject ADS-B) for more info. My lists are somewhat simplified. My brain is somewhat simplified also, due to my age.