Is ADS-B Ready for Prime-Time?

Some observers are not sure ADS-B will be ready by 2020 or, if it is, whether the benefits promised by the FAA will be available. In September 2014, doubters got a boost when the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General (DOTIG) reported “ADS-B benefits are limited due to a lack of advanced capabilities and delays in user equipage.” [IMGCAP(1)]According to the DOTIG, the FAA “has not sufficiently tested the entire ADS-B system” and what testing has been…

Editorial Staff

Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

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Gulfstream built more than 600 G550s since the model's first announcement 20 years ago. Pixabay

Key Takeaways:

Skepticism surrounds ADS-B's readiness and promised benefits, with a 2014 DOTIG report citing limited capabilities, insufficient FAA testing, and delays in user equipage.
Both general aviation and major airlines show reluctance to fully embrace ADS-B due to limited current capabilities, evolving advanced features, and existing on-board systems providing similar information.
ADS-B IN services are strictly advisory; pilots cannot rely on them for aircraft separation, and concerns exist that some general aviation pilots are unaware of these critical safety limitations.

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According to the DOTIG, the FAA “has not sufficiently tested the entire ADS-B system” and what testing has been performed is incomplete because the FAA “has not fully resolved problems identified” in the ADS-B operational testing it has completed. Additionally and significantly for general aviation according to the DOTIG, “While ADS-B provides some useful services, these capabilities have been limited, discouraging some users from investing in ADS-B. At the same time, requirements for ADS-B IN’s advanced capabilities continue to evolve, creating significant challenges related to certifying ADS-B avionics, maturing advanced capabilities, and partnering with airlines to verify and validate benefits and gain experience through demonstration projects.”