Information for Aircraft Operators

The “ADS-B Out” capability on board is enabled by transponders interfaced with the relevant avionics systems (such as GNSS, pressure altimeters etc.). Many aircraft have ADS-B Extended Squitter capability already available packaged with the Mode S Enhanced Surveillance installations already mandated for core-European airspace.

For the operational use of ADS-B in Non-Radar Airspace (ADS-B NRA) only, the aircraft have to be certified on the basis of EASA AMC 20-24 (published in 2008) and operationally approved by the regulatory authorities. Currently this is the case for some European sites (such as Iceland and Portugal), as well as Australia and Canada (Hudson Bay)

For the operational use of ADS-B Out (covering ADS-B NRA, RAD and APT), the European Commission Single European Sky Surveillance Performance and Interoperability Implementing Rule (SPI IR) applies. The SPI IR was approved in July and was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in November 2011as the European Commission Implementing Regulation number 1207/2011.

According to the Implementing Regulation, all aircraft operating IFR/GAT in Europe will have to be compliant with Mode S Elementary Surveillance, whilst aircraft with maximum Take-Off Mass greater than 5700kg or maximum cruising True Air Speed greater than 250kts will have to be compliant with Mode S Enhanced Surveillance and “ADS-B out”. The mandate dates are January 2015 for forward fit and December 2017 for retrofit, with further provisions for State aircraft. For compliance with the SPI IR and the operational use of the ADS-B Out applications, the aircraft have to be certified on the basis of the relevant provisions of the EASA Certification Specification for Airborne CNS (CS-ACNS), expected to be published in 2012, as well as operationally approved by the regulatory authorities.

Further information can be found on the deployment plans section.

The “ADS-B In” capability requires a receiver, a processing system (traffic computer) and an HMI unit (often called Cockpit Display of Traffic Information - CDTI). The “ADS-B in” system could be integrated in the Forward Field of view or be in the form of the so-called Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). The ATSAW airworthiness approval material by EASA is yet to be developed, however airworthiness is currently possible using alternative means (such as EASA Certification Review Item – CRI).

CASCADE programme in partnership with the airspace Users launched ADS-B pioneer projects, supporting the certification and operational use for both ADS-B in Non-Radar Airspace and ATSAW. The first pioneer project aiming at airworthiness approval for ADS-B in Non Radar airspace was successfully completed (with 18 airlines, more than 500 aircraft and 14 different aircraft types), whereas a second pioneer airline project (on ATSAW) was recently launched.

Through the ATSAW Pioneer project, the EUROCONTROL CASCADE Programme is partnering with airlines, ANSPs and industry in order to catalyse the operational use of ADS-B to provide an airborne traffic situation picture to the flight crew.

The objective of the ATSAW Pioneer airline project is to assist airlines in equipping aircraft with certified ATSAW equipment and participating in trial operations, later transitioning to regular operations. The specific ATSAW applications targeted by the project are ATSA - AIRB, ATSA - ITP, and, at a later stage, ATSA - VSA and ATSA - SURF. The project kicked off in 2009.

Five airlines have started equipping aircraft (25 in total) with certified ATSAW equipment and will participate in trial operations from 2011 onwards over N. Atlantic, i.e.

• British Airways
• Delta
• Swiss International Airlines
• US Airways
• Virgin Atlantic

Two ANSPs are also involved in order to develop the ground enhancements which are required for the initial deployment of ATSA ITP:

• ISAVIA of Iceland (for the Reyjkavik FIR)
• UK NATS (for the Shanwick FIR)

The first ATSAW aircraft was delivered to Virgin in July 2011, followed by other aircraft to the pioneer airlines from October 2011 onwards. The ATSAW Pioneer project marks the first operational use of ATSAW applications and paves the way for the deployment of other “ADS-B In” applications. 

CASCADE has also developed Flight Crew Guidance Material for the various ADS-B applications.

Further information available on the library section.

Further details of the requirements regarding aircraft equipage and certification can be found in the Standards & Certification sections of this website.