In an industry famous for its ridiculous acronyms, ADS-B stands out for being uniquely confusing. Lots of pilots use the term, but not everyone really knows what it means. And who can blame them - it’s incredibly complicated. So what is ADS-B? Why should you care about it? Can you just ignore it? No. While ADS-B may be confusing, it’s probably the most important technological change you will have to deal with as a pilot over the next two decades. So it's worth the effort to learn this new language.
What is ADS-B?
At heart, ADS-B is really just a new way to manage air traffic. As such, it will eventually replace radar as Air Traffic Control's (ATC) primary tool for separating aircraft. It's different from radar in that it does not depend on controllers in a central location watching radar scopes. Instead, aircraft self-report their GPS position in a networked environment, so pilots can see the entire air traffic picture around them. There is also the added benefit of datalink weather and traffic available through ADS-B.
ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. It’s a dreadful name that only an engineer could love, but it happens to be fairly descriptive. Let’s look at each part of it:
- Automatic - properly-equipped aircraft automatically report their position, without need for a radar interrogation
- Dependent - ADS-B depends on aircraft having an approved WAAS GPS on board and an ADS-B Out transmitter
- Surveillance - it is a surveillance technology that allows ATC to watch airplanes move around (like radar)
- Broadcast - aircraft broadcast their position information to airplanes and ATC
This system doesn't need radar to work properly, but it does depend on a network of ground stations to receive aircraft reports and send them back to ATC. These stations also transmit weather and traffic information back up to properly-equipped aircraft. This network currently consists of over 500 stations, and the initial phase is complete. So when you hear that ADS-B moves from a "ground-based" radar system to a "satellite-based" system, it's only partially true. (See the first graphic, courtesy of Aviation Seminars, for an overview.)
By the way, you’ll often hear the phrase NextGen used interchangeably with ADS-B. Technically, NextGen (or the Next Generation Air Transportation System) is the FAA’s omnibus plan for modernizing air traffic control. ADS-B is a critical part of NextGen, but it’s only one part of it.
Now that we know what ADS-B is, how does it work?
Out vs. In
ADS-B is made up of two main parts: ADS-B Out and ADS-B In. Out is of interest to controllers, while In is mostly of interest to pilots.
ADS-B Out is a surveillance technology for tracking aircraft - it's what ATC needs to manage traffic. This is the transmitter mounted in your airplane that reports your position, velocity and altitude once per second. This transmission is received by ATC and nearby aircraft and this data makes up the equivalent of a radar display. Most aircraft have been required have ADS-B Out since the FAA mandated it on January 1, 2020 (see below).
ADS-B In allows an aircraft to receive transmissions from ADS-B ground stations and other aircraft. This is how pilots can get subscription-free weather and traffic in the cockpit. Adding ADS-B In is strictly optional. While it offers some great benefits, the FAA is only concerned about you equipping with ADS-B Out - the free weather and traffic is simply the carrot to get you to upgrade.
Note that there are various combinations of these two: Out-only equipment that simply meets the FAA requirement, In-only portable devices that receive weather, and ADS-B In/Out products that do it all. One thing to keep in mind - there is no such thing as a portable ADS-B Out device. All Out equipment must be panel-installed.
1090 vs. 978
You would think that would be the end of the confusion with ADS-B, but unfortunately, you would be wrong. Due to concerns about frequency congestion (and other issues too boring to detail here), there are two different datalink technologies that meet the ADS-B requirement: 1090 MHz ES and 978 MHz UAT. As the names imply, these are simply different frequencies used by the equipment to transmit and receive data.
1090 Extended Squitter (ES) is based on 1090 MHz, just like our Mode A/C/S transponders. In fact, some Mode S transponders (like Garmin's GTX 330) can be upgraded to an ES transponder by upgrading the software and adding a WAAS GPS. This is the only technology accepted outside the US and above 18,000 feet, so it is popular with turbine airplanes, but it's also a good choice for piston airplanes that need a new transponder. ES receivers can detect other aircraft with ES transmitters air-to-air, and they can receive other traffic information uplinked from ADS-B ground stations. But there is no weather datalink on 1090.
978 products are sometimes called UAT, for Universal Access Transceiver. This is only available in the US, and only below 18,000 feet, so it is aimed mostly at piston aircraft. Like a 1090 ES receiver, UATs can detect other airplanes with transmitters on the same frequency (978 MHz) air-to-air and also receive the rest of the traffic picture from ADS-B ground stations. But weather is also transmitted over 978 MHz, an added bonus.
This ends up being a real mess. You can have all kinds of different equipment: 978 Out only, 978 Out/In, 1090ES Out only and even a combined 1090ES Out/978 In. At the end of the day, you should choose the Out frequency that matches your flying. If you fly above 18,000 feet or outside the US, 1090ES is your only option. If you don't, a 978 UAT could work and save you some money. Also consider how good your current transponder is - you're required to keep it in the airplane with 978 solutions. Here's our longer advice on 1090 vs. 978.
After you've chosen your Out frequency, the only other decision is whether you want ADS-B weather; since that's only available on 978, that's a simpler decision (but remember that your 978 receiver could be a portable).
Weather and Traffic
Since weather and traffic come into play so much during any discussion of ADS-B, let's define some terms: FIS-B and TIS-B. These are the two products that we can receive via ADS-B In.
Flight Information Services-Broadcast (FIS-B) is just a fancy name for datalink weather. Only available with a 978 MHz receiver, the end product is very similar to what we're used to seeing with XM Weather. NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, AIRMETs and other information is continuously updated in flight, and all this can be displayed on either a panel-mount MFD or a portable device like an iPad. There is no monthly subscription fee with FIS-B (your tax dollars paid for it), which is a nice feature. But unlike XM Weather, ADS-B weather uses the network of ground stations, not satellites. That means coverage, while pretty good in most parts of the US, is not as universal as XM.
Traffic Information Services-Broadcast (TIS-B) is what the name suggests - datalink traffic. But leave it to the FAA to make this complicated. Unlike ADS-B weather, which is broadcast to anyone in range of the ground stations, ADS-B traffic is a custom report that is only sent to aircraft with ADS-B Out. If you're flying with an ADS-B Out transmitter in your airplane, you'll get an excellent picture of all traffic within roughly 30 miles of you. But if you're not flying with an ADS-B Out transmitter (say, with a portable ADS-B In receiver), TIS-B is fairly unreliable. Read this article for complete details on this confusing subject.
Changes for ATC
Remember that, while datalink weather and traffic are nice, the whole point of ADS-B is for ATC. And the FAA has some grand plans for how ADS-B will transform the way it does business, claiming it will reduce aviation's environmental impact, improve safety and increase capacity at airports. A lot of this seems awfully optimistic, and will not be a reality for many years (if ever). But there are some more realistic improvements that will probably come to pass sooner.
Since ADS-B is so much more accurate than radar, separation minimums can be reduced. This should lead to at least a little more direct routing and some increased capacity. Because ADS-B does not require radar, air traffic control will be available in many remote areas that cannot be served by radar. ADS-B will also impact ground operations, giving controllers the ability to prevent runway incursions and ground traffic conflicts. But of course this won't come free.
Regulations
The ADS-B Out mandate, finalized in 2011, went into full effect on January 1, 2020. These rules require all aircraft to have ADS-B Out equipment when flying in Class A, B, and C airspace, as well as Class E airspace above 10,000 feet (excluding airspace below 2,500 feet). You also need ADS-B Out within the 30nm "Mode C Veil" around Class B airports. So in general, you need it in most of the places you need a Mode C transponder- and you need to keep that Mode C transponder if you install 978, because radar will be the backup for ADS-B.
That does mean some pilots did not have to upgrade to ADS-B Out. For instance, if you fly a Cub on sunny Saturdays away from major airports, you're exempt. But if you use your airplane for any type of transportation flying, you ought to be equipped with ADS-B Out. This ADS-B Out transmitter must be a panel-installed, certified solution (again, no portable ADS-B Out option). An approved WAAS GPS source is also required, to make sure your reported position is accurate. Remember, though, there is no mandate for ADS-B In equipment.
There are a number of ADS-B Out products available now to satisfy this requirement, from major avionics manufacturers like Garmin, Appareo and others. Prices vary significantly, but average about $2,500-5,000 (including installation).
Final Thoughts: ADS-B's Essential Role Today and Tomorrow
While ADS-B may initially appear complex and overwhelming, it has become an indispensable part of modern aviation that no pilot can afford to ignore. As of 2024, the widespread adoption of ADS-B has significantly enhanced safety, efficiency, and situational awareness for both pilots and air traffic controllers. Understanding its components—such as ADS-B Out and In, and the differences between 1090 and 978 MHz frequencies—remains essential for making informed decisions about your equipment.
With the 2020 mandate now fully implemented, most aircraft are equipped with ADS-B Out, and the benefits are evident. Pilots are enjoying more precise traffic information and access to in-flight weather data, leading to safer and more efficient flights. Looking forward, advancements in ADS-B technology forecast even greater integration with emerging systems. Enhanced ADS-B capabilities are expected to support more sophisticated traffic management and pave the way for innovations like space-based ADS-B services.
Embracing ADS-B not only keeps you compliant with regulatory requirements but also positions you to take advantage of these upcoming technological advancements. So, continue to stay informed and make the most of what ADS-B has to offer, ensuring you're prepared for the exciting future of aviation.
