ADS-B Out: 978 UAT Or 1090ES?

You have less than four years until the January 1, 2020, mandate to have a working ADS-B Out system installed if you want regular access to airspace where a Mode C transponder currently is required. Many aircraft owners already have upgraded; many more have yet to bite the bullet, perhaps because theyre still waiting for prices to come down and capabilities to go up.

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The January 1, 2020, deadline for ADS-B Out mandates requires aircraft owners to choose between 1090ES (international, all altitudes) and 978 UAT (U.S.-only, lower altitudes) based on their flying intentions.
For ADS-B In traffic and weather, portable receivers streaming data to tablet-based EFB apps are often recommended to leverage current display technology and avoid rapid avionics obsolescence.
"All-in-one" solutions, combining 1090ES ADS-B Out with a 978 UAT receiver for ADS-B In, offer comprehensive compliance for both U.S. and international high-altitude flight, often with wireless data transmission to EFBs.

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You have less than four years until the January 1, 2020, mandate to have a working ADS-B Out system installed if you want regular access to airspace where a Mode C transponder currently is required. Many aircraft owners already have upgraded; many more have yet to bite the bullet, perhaps because they’re still waiting for prices to come down and capabilities to go up.

The good news is some recently introduced all-in-one boxes may make your decision easer. Newer ADS-B products, along with others that have been around for a few years, show some clear choices in capabilities, utility and price points. But making sense of all the options first requires an aircraft owner to decide where he or she intends to fly.