Figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) have revealed that as of September 1, over 40,000 aircraft in the United States are flying with rule-compliant Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment onboard.
However, according to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimate, this still leaves between 100,000 to 160,000 general aviation aircraft still to be equipped with ADS-B Out before the January 1, 2020, mandate.
The modernization of air traffic control systems are accelerating worldwide and aircraft owners need to comply with emerging and existing regulatory mandates by selecting the right equipment for their aircraft’s typical mission.
“We’re now just over two years out from the FAA compliance deadline,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “As we move forward, knowing that date will not change, it is essential that those operators who haven’t yet, make a plan for equipage to avoid having their aircraft grounded and losing its residual value.”
According to GAMA, the cost of ADS-B solutions for light general aviation aircraft are available for between $1,200 to $4,000, each providing significant safety benefits when presented on an ADS-B IN capable display.
Bunce caution that early compliance would be beneficial “before installation lines grow long.”