Why ADS-B is the way forward

The well-known earthrounder pilot and avionics engineer makes the case for following the US lead and standardising on a single technology for reliable Electronic Conspicuity

- Manuel Queiroz

Much has been written about the various ways of highlighting our presence to others with the simple intention of not bumping into each other− universally seen as desirable.

The Mk1 eyeball is, and will remain the core of traffic awareness for most of GA−but it is far from perfect due to factors such as meteorological issues, scan methods, airframe blind spots, geometrical considerations and cockpit distractions, to say nothing about concentration lapses. I have little doubt that every pilot, irrespective of background or experience, can recall some such instance.

To expand the capabilities of the good old Mk1 eyeball method we need some sort of electronic wizardry and this is where ‘Electronic Conspicuity’ (EC) comes in. As it is widely known, the Federal Aviation Administration−the governing body of civil aviation in the USA−is the most important legislator for the existence of ADS-B. And it has made the use of one single system compulsory in US airspace−that system being ADS-B (Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast).

I firmly believe that the FAA is as close to having cracked the EC problem for all of aviation as anyone can be: its mandate covers the whole country (a big one!) the whole of aviation (more flying machines than anywhere else) it is compulsory (no exceptions, big or small) uses properly developed technology (manufacturers spent millions to meet the carefully designed specification) and it is a focused approach (not aimlessly diverted). It isn’t perfect, but there again, nothing is!