ATA Joins HAI in Applauding Deployment of ADS-B in Gulf of Mexico

The Air Transport Association (ATA) reaffirmed its endorsement of the FAA's "accelerated deployment" of ADS (automatic dependent services-broadcast) in the Gulf of Mexico, joining the Helicopter Association International (HAI) which has long advocated its implementation there.

While a nationwide implementation of ADS-B isn't expected to be completed until at least 2014, the FAA plans to have ADS-B coverage in the Gulf within about three years.

The HAI has been a strong proponent of the technology in the Gulf and helped to establish a government/industry relationship several years ago to facilitate the implementation of ADS-B there.  According to Matt Zuccaro, HAI's president, the parties are expected to sign a formal agreement within a few weeks, clearing the way for FAA to begin installing ADS-B ground stations at key locations in the region.  As part of the agreement, HAI members will provide free helicopter transportation for FAA technicians doing work on the ADS-B ground (or in this case, sea) stations.

Some 650 helicopters make about 7,500 trips a day to more than 5,000 offshore oil and gas platforms, according to Mr. Zuccaro, who points out that "the majority of helicopters operating offshore in the Gulf of Mexico do so without the ability to communicate with, or be seen by air traffic control and without the infrastructure to provide current weather information, or other generally expected services as provided to similar operations when conducted over land."

In addition to endorsing the deployment of ADS in the Gulf, ATA said it fully supports FAA utilization of commercially-supplied services, which it believes will expand the value of ADS-B technology.  05-24-2006.