Now What?

January 1, 2020, is fast approaching. Thats the date on which ADS-B Out surveillance gear will be required in certain U.S. airspace, basically where you need Mode C now. But you know that; this and other aviation publications have been beating that drum for most of a decade. As the industry nears a deadline weve all known about since 2010, its not unreasonable to look back at what additional technology ADS-B has spawned, then take a quick look at the crystal ball to try divining what might come next.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

ADS-B technology, particularly ADS-B In, has profoundly improved situational awareness in general aviation and provides a foundational communication protocol for future advancements.
The future of cockpit technology will likely be driven by the convergence of affordable airborne internet (e.g., Starlink), advanced consumer-grade hardware (like iPads), and next-generation ADS-B applications.
This technological synergy is expected to lead to the wider adoption of Head-Up Displays (HUDs), potentially starting as consumer adaptations, and will spawn a host of new, currently unforeseen aviation-specific applications.

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January 1, 2020, is fast approaching. That’s the date on which ADS-B Out surveillance gear will be required in certain U.S. airspace, basically where you need Mode C now. But you know that; this and other aviation publications have been beating that drum for most of a decade. As the industry nears a deadline we’ve all known about since 2010, it’s not unreasonable to look back at what additional technology ADS-B has spawned, then take a quick look at the crystal ball to try divining what might come next.

First off, I don’t think anyone familiar with how state-of-the-art general aviation technology has evolved over the last 15 years can deny ADS-B In has had a positive impact on how we obtain and interpret information designed to maintain our situational awareness. The ADS-B Out flavor offers benefits, also, and both services show promise for additional features in the future.