New Florida Law Prevents ADS-B Landing Fee Collection

Last Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed S.B.422 into law, prohibiting Florida airports from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) data to collect landing fees. The bill will apply to aircraft weighing 12,499 pounds or less and operating under 14 CFR Part 91 rules. The law is anticipated to go into effect July 1 of this year.

Introduced by Senator Tom Wright and Representatives Doug Bankson and Kim Kendall, this bill now makes Florida the second state to ban the use of ADS-B in the collection of landing fees for general aviation aircraft, following a similar law passed in Montana (H.B. 571) last year.

Similar bills are being considered at the state level in several other states and at the federal level via the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA). In recent weeks, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford have both voiced concern over the use of ADS-B, a safety-enhancing technology, in generating airport revenue by way of landing fees.

As we continue to build a strong safety culture in general aviation, EAA opposes any attempt to financially disincentivize proficiency and good decision-making. A fee that directly taxes the act of landing at a particular airport is flagrantly contrary to the best interests of aviation safety. Approaches, landings, and takeoffs are perishable skills, and pilots must practice them often to maintain proficiency, not only at their home airport, but at unfamiliar airports as well.