Your ADS-B Questions Answered: How do I obtain initial approval for my ADS-B Out system?
Notice Number: NOTC8340
How do I obtain initial approval for my ADS-B Out system?
Initial ADS-B Out system pairings (transmitter/GPS) must be approved for installation using the Type Certificate (TC), Amended TC (ATC), or Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) process. Aircraft and equipment manufacturers, and others seeking initial pairing approval should consult their Aircraft Certification Office to determine the appropriate approval process for these initial installations. Once the performance of the initial pairing has been established, the FAA considers follow-on installations of the same pairing to be approved. Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) holders can issue an ATC and an STC when authorized by their FAA Organization Management Team (OMT).
Equipment manufacturers are the best source for previously approved pairing information. The FAA also maintains a list of approved pairings at the following link: https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/installation/equipment/adsb_ready/
After initial approval, can applicable ADS-B Out systems be installed on aircraft not covered by that approval?
Yes, ADS-B Out systems that have previously received FAA approval and meet all of the conditions listed in the FAA’s policy memo on Installation Approval for ADS-B OUT Systems (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgPolicy.nsf/0/1fdea629cd029a7c86257f7900601653/$FILE/AFS-360_2016-03-02.pdf), may be installed and returned to service on other aircraft without further data approval.
Please note that if an Approved Model List (AML) STC is available that provides for the installation of specific ADS-B transmitter and GPS pairings on listed aircraft, consider using the data from that AML STC for the ADS-B Out system installation.
What is the single most common ADS-B Out installation problem?
The single most common ADS-B Out installation problem is incorrect configuration of the flight identification code. Currently, more than 600 ADS-B Out equipped aircraft are operating with a misconfigured flight identification code with no other equipment issues. For general aviation, the flight identification code is configured in ADS-B equipment to transmit the aircraft’s assigned N-number (e.g., N1234). However, many misconfigured aircraft are transmitting flight identification codes with missing alphanumeric characters (1234 vs N1234, N123 vs N1234), no flight identification code (no data entered during installation), improper characters (???????), all zeros (000000), and others simply have a single character transposed (N1235 vs N1234).
You can verify that your aircraft is transmitting the correct flight identification code by requesting a Public ADS-B Performance Report at the following web address: https://adsbperformance.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx. Ensure the Tail Number and Last Flight ID on the cover page of the report match.
For more information on what to consider before and after installation of your ADS-B Out system, go to: https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/installation.
The Installation Approval for ADS-B Out Systems (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgPolicy.nsf/0/1FDEA629CD029A7C86257F7900601653?OpenDocument) memo explains the FAA’s policy regarding installation of ADS-B Out systems into civil aircraft.
You can also read several ADS-B related articles in the January/February 2019 issue of FAA Safety Briefing available at https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing, including Is My ADS-B Broadcasting Me: A Look at Non-Performing Emitters (http://bit.ly/adsbemitter) and Clearing the Crypto-Fog: Tips for Decoding and Deciding Among ADS-B Equipment options (http://bit.ly/adsbequip).
Don’t Get Left in the Hangar. Equip Now!
There’s less than 10 months remaining before the January 1, 2020 ADS-B Out equipage deadline.
For more information, please visit the Equip ADS-B website at www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/.
Questions about equipping? Please see our FAQs or contact us at adsb@faa.gov.