14. ADS-B Explodes on the Scene

The mandate for all of us to equip with automatic dependent surveillance broadcast equipment by 2020 turned out to be a rare example of a rule with which pilots were itching to comply. Garmin (with its GDL 39) and the partnership of Appareo, Foreflight and Sporty’s (wih the Stratus product) came out with remarkably popular portable ADS-B solutions, Garmin’s with traffic. The big draw, of course, is free, no-subscription uplinked aviation weather that approaches satellite weather in terms of the scope and quality of its offerings. Other companies, including Dual and Dynon, announced new products. Garmin, Free Flight, Avidyne and others, came out with products that support the 2020 ADS-B mandate. Sales are reported to be very hot, which makes for another first, pilots rushing to equip long before the date of a mandate. Pilots are also reportedly making themselves expert on the complex and still emerging technology, a trend for which, if true, we at Flying will claim at least partial credit.