Pennsylvania Plans to Install ADS-B at Four Airports

Pennsylvania, working with the FAA, intends to install ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast), along with its concurrent broadcasted flight and traffic information (FIS-B and TIS-B), at four airports.

The system will provide coverage for general aviation (GA) pilots over most of the eastern portion of the state by the end of the year.  The entire state should have ADS-B, FIS-B and TIS-B coverage within four years.

Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will install ADS-B ground stations at Allentown, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Lancaster and University Park.

The FAA developed the combined system, which was introduced in Alaska as a major part of the agency's Capstone program, and was more recently implemented along the U.S. east coast between Florida and New Jersey.  (See "AOPA Satisfied with ADS-B Introduction along U.S. East Coast," Flt Tech Online, 05-07-2005.)

The complete system requires several aircraft technologies as well, including GPS, a UAT (universal access transceiver) datalink, and a multifunction cockpit display.  With it, a GA pilot can get:

• Air and ground traffic information that includes an aircraft's location, identification, altitude, airspeed and direction.

• Weather information, including graphical images of thunderstorms.

• Terrain and other obstacle information.

• NOTAM (notice to airmen) information, including temporary flight restrictions and SUA (special-use airspace) status.

Money to underwrite the new ground-based technology is coming from the FAA ($300,000), a grant from U.S. Department of Homeland Security through Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Agency ($250,000), and the Pennsylvania's Aviation Fund ($50,000).  11-01-2005.

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