Adds Equipage Requirements For Operations In Class A, B, And C Airspace

The FAA on Monday published a correction to the ADS-B Out final rule published on May 28, 2010. In that rule, the FAA amended its regulations by adding equipage requirements and performance standards for ADS-B Out avionics on aircraft operating in Classes A, B and C airspace, as well as other specified classes of airspace within the U.S. national airspace system.

The document corrects errors in regulatory provisions addressing ADS-B Out equipment and use.

In the 2010 final rule, the FAA established 91.225, which provides the ADS-B equipment requirements necessary to operate in certain classes of airspace effective Jan. 1, 2020.

Under paragraph (a)(1) of that section and in order to operate an aircraft in Class A airspace, an aircraft must have installed equipment that meets the requirements of TSO-C166b. Under paragraph (b)(1) of that section, in order to operate an aircraft below 18,000 feet MSL and in identified airspace described subsequently in 91.225, an aircraft must be equipped with equipment that meets the requirements of TSO-C166b; or TSO-C154c.

FAA's Technical Amendment: In order to address any confusion and clarify the equipage requirements permitted under this rule, the FAA is amending 91.225 to insert text specifying the necessary performance requirements.

The AEA says the change in language puts the ADS-B rule in parallel with other avionics requirements where performance requirement language is common. You can see very similar language throughout Part 91 Subpart C (Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements).

This technical change helps to clarify equipment requirements for the experimental amateur-built (EAB) and light sport aircraft. The requirements for type-certificated aircraft are unchanged.

(FAA ADS-B graphic)

FMI: www.aea.net/NextGen