Need an ADS-B Upgrade? Alpha Aviation Can Help!
When it comes to avionics repair and installation, no one does it better than Alpha Aviation. With over 20 years experience in the aircraft maintenance industry, Alpha Aviation is the foremost authority. If you want it done right the first time then Alpha Aviation is your solution. Don’t wait until the last minute and get caught in long waiting lists. Schedule your ADS-B upgrade today!
What is ADS-B
Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), is an advanced satellite-based surveillance technology. ADS-B uses precise positioning technology transmitted from your aircraft and other aircraft around you. ADS-B consists of two different services, “ADS-B Out” and “ADS-B In”. ADS-B Out is used to calculate an aircraft’s precise position based on the data it receives from GPS satellites.
It then sends a burst of information including identity, position, track, and ground speed, to ADS-B ground stations and other aircraft at a rate of 1 per second. ADS-B is the incoming information that Air Traffic Control uses to get a much better picture of the sky and is able to route traffic more efficiently. With a qualifying ADS-B in solution in your aircraft, you can receive ADS-B traffic and subscription-free weather. This is all done with the Universal Access Transceiver(UAT). When in range of ground stations you will be able to see the same traffic picture that air traffic controllers see. You can pull up graphical NEXRAD, NOTAMS, METARS, TAFS, and more.
Even better if you are equipped with a dual equipped receiver, you will be able to see all other ADS-B aircraft in your vicinity since it listens for both 978 UAT and 1090mhz ES transponders. The dual receiver works even when you aren’t in the range of a ground station.
Why Do We Need to Upgrade to ADS-B by 2020?
The FAA mandate requires ADS-B Out for anyone who flies in controlled airspace or if you require a mode C transponder. This includes any aircraft that fly in class A, B, or C airspace and class E above 10,000ft. If you want to fly in designated US air spaces after Jan 1, 2020, then you must be equipped with an ADS-B out requirement by then. In other countries, it may be even earlier than that depending on the type of aircraft that you fly. For more information about the upcoming ADS-B FAA mandate, please visit the FAA Website(https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/)
How to equip ADS-B
There are a lot of factors involved in equipping ADS-B. This involves the equipment that you already have installed and where you would like to fly your aircraft. Every aircraft equipped with ADS-B will need an approved WAAS position source. You will also need an ADS-B out the solution that transmits this information to an ADS-B ground station. For those of you that fly outside of the US or in Class A airspace, you will be required to broadcast this position information across the 1090mhz datalink.
This is done with a mode S transponder with ES technology. If you do not fly above 18,000 ft or outside of US airspace, you can opt for a UAT ( Universal Access Transceiver) The UAT broadcasts your ADS-B data across the 978mhz frequency.
How Alpha Aviation Can Help
The upcoming FAA mandate and ADS-B hardware configurations are very confusing for most pilots. That’s where we come in. Our avionics experts will walk you through the entire process from start to finish. We will help you to understand exactly what you need in order to be compliant with the upcoming FAA mandate, and also take advantage of other ADS-B In capabilities.
Give us a call today +1(479)856-5000 and get a free quote on your ADS-B installation.
