Air Transport

Nationwide deployment of automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) as the first step towards the US next-generation air transport system has been approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration’s Joint Resources Council (JRC).

The JRC approved a baseline programme covering the next two years, during which the FAA will pre-negotiate a contract with an ADS-B infrastructure vendor. The FAA will go back to the JRC in July 2007 with cost data from the pre-negotiated contract to support the business case for nationwide deployment of ADS-B, the agency says. The FAA plans to deploy ADS-B in stages, starting with Segment 1 between fiscal years 2007 and 2010. This will expand the existing pockets of ADS-B coverage.

There is no target for aircraft avionics equipage in Segment 1. A target of 40% equipage has been set for Segment 2, which runs from FY2010-FY2014 and which will see completion of nationwide ADS-B infrastructure deployment. The goal of 100% avionics equipage has been set for FY2020, at the end of Segment 3. The FAA expects ADS-B avionics equipage to be mandated “at some point”.

Segment 1 will expand ADS-B infrastructure that is providing traffic information service – broadcast (TIS-B) and flight information service – broadcast (FIS-B) coverage, along the East Coast and in the Phoenix/Prescott area, Arizona. East coast deployment will be expanded to the Great Lakes and from Arizona into California.

ADS-B-equipped aircraft will be back on air traffic control radar screens in Anchorage, Alaska from 15 June. The FAA halted use of ADS-B for surveillance in March after controllers misapplied radar separation standards.