Theres No Free Lunch

The primary purpose of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is to provide the FAA with the next generation of ATC surveillance capability at lower cost. ADS-B can be more accurate while simultaneously reducing the installation and maintenance costs of existing radar systems. It permits greater coverage where radar isnt practical, such as in mountainous areas and over the Gulf of Mexico. With ADS-B, ATC expects to safely handle more traffic in the same airspace. Much of the cost justification is based on the elimination of about half of the current radar installations. But dont plan on tossing your transponder yet. Radar will still be used as backup to the ADS-B system and for TCAS.

Editorial Staff

Friday, August 01, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is the FAA's next-generation air traffic surveillance system, designed to replace radar for lower costs, increased accuracy, and greater coverage, enabling ATC to manage more traffic.
The U.S. implements a dual-frequency strategy (1090ES and UAT) for ADS-B Out, which is mandated for transponder-equipped aircraft after January 1, 2020, with choices dependent on flight altitude and aircraft type.
While equipping for ADS-B Out is a significant cost for airspace users, the optional ADS-B In provides valuable, subscription-free access to comprehensive traffic information (TIS-B, ADS-R) and free weather services (FIS-B).

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The primary purpose of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is to provide the FAA with the next generation of ATC surveillance capability at lower cost. ADS-B can be more accurate while simultaneously reducing the installation and maintenance costs of existing radar systems. It permits greater coverage where radar isn’t practical, such as in mountainous areas and over the Gulf of Mexico. With ADS-B, ATC expects to safely handle more traffic in the same airspace. Much of the cost justification is based on the elimination of about half of the current radar installations. But don’t plan on tossing your transponder yet. Radar will still be used as backup to the ADS-B system and for TCAS.