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

Verified

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

Key Takeaways:

Skepticism surrounds ADS-B's 2020 readiness and promised benefits, with a DOTIG report confirming limited capabilities, insufficient FAA testing, and slow user adoption.
Both general aviation and major airlines are hesitant to invest due to the system's current limited capabilities, the evolving nature of advanced features (ADS-B IN), and redundancy with existing onboard equipment.
Crucially, ADS-B IN services (TIS-B, FIS-B) are advisory only and must not be used for aircraft separation or collision avoidance, a critical limitation that many pilots may be unaware of.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.”