In 2007, ALPA was honored with its second prestigious Collier Trophy for the collaborative effort that helped develop Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a technology that would ultimately allow aircraft to continuously broadcast their own global positioning system (GPS)-determined position, rather than rely solely on ground-based radar.
The concept at the time was that ADS-B would provide an automatic broadcast of an aircraft’s position, altitude, and other data. It would also help to enhance situational awareness of aircraft and vehicle traffic for pilots and air traffic controllers. By using GPS as the source of aircraft position information, the FAA would be able to reduce reliance on outdated ground-based monitoring and evolve to more advanced technology. ALPA’s involvement in the ADS-B working groups is helping to ensure its successful deployment, and by Jan. 1, 2020, nearly all aircraft operating in controlled airspace will be required to have this technology installed.
The benefits of ADS-B are numerous. It has given air traffic controllers a much higher update rate and better resolution of aircraft targets than the traditional ground-based air traffic surveillance radar. It also offers flight crews a powerful new tool with the potential for several applications that should improve situational awareness in the cockpit and allow more aircraft to operate safely in the same airspace.
Soon, ADS-B technology will advance one step further when NAV CANADA and various air traffic management partners around the world help to expand air traffic surveillance to the entire planet by installing ADS-B receivers on a constellation of satellites. Currently awaiting the launch by SpaceX, NAV CANADA estimates that this new capability will result in fuel savings for customers on the North Atlantic alone of over $100 million per year as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 263,000 metric tons.
In a recent speech to the International Aviation Club of Washington, D.C., John Crichton, the chairman of the board of Aireon, the company responsible for deploying the space-based ADS-B, called this technology “a leap forward which will help to unlock unforeseen possibilities.” Once fully operational, which is scheduled for 2018, ADS-B will provide immediate benefits, and as additional improvements are phased in, such as the ability for voice communications across the globe, aviation safety will continue to improve as well.
In addition to being recognized as a leader in the development and implementation of this technology, ALPA strongly supports the concept of modernizing operations by expanding ADS-B from ground-based to space-based. ADS-B coverage not limited by ground-based infrastructure can provide safety and efficiency benefits of precise real-time aircraft surveillance in oceanic airspace. Since a satellite based ADS-B system will also be able to track aircraft transmitting ADS-B at all altitudes without the need for added equipment installation on the aircraft, there is a reduced possibility of an aircraft disappearance. This is a tremendous advancement for aviation safety.
As this technology becomes more widely available and various associated applications emerge, thoroughly trained pilots will be able to take maximum advantage of the many benefits, such as increased system efficiency and reduction of fuel burn, which ultimately helps to lower operating costs while providing safer air traffic control.