EAA Ensuring No GA aircraft Left Behind in ADS-B Mandate

September 15, 2016 - As the FAA announces its rebate program for installation of ADS-B in GA aircraft flying in controlled airspace by the required date of 2020, EAA continues to support the efforts through its involvement in the FAA/industry Equip 2020 working group, especially for some groups of airplanes that are not given attention as part of the larger general aviation fleet.

“Great progress has been made, but there is still more work to do,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “EAA continues to press for a clear pathway for S-LSA equipage does that not currently exist, because a significant number of S-LSAs no longer have factory support or are orphaned with literally no more factory!”

The problem arises because S-LSAs cannot be modified without manufacturer consent. If the manufacturer does not exist or is unwilling to permit choices in the way of ADS-B equipage, it’s a barrier to 2020 compliance for owners. EAA is working to ensure that those aircraft, numbering in the thousands, have an affordable process to equip by the deadline just as the rest of GA aircraft are doing. This month, Elliott will represent EAA members in Washington at an Equip 2020 working group meeting to continue the dialogue and give all aircraft owners an equal voice as this important deadline nears.