Contains Several Of The Changes Outlined In AC 20-165 Revision

The FAA has published a policy memorandum that provides guidance for the installation and airworthiness approval of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) Out systems in aircraft.

On Dec. 9, 2015, the FAA published the revision to AC 20-165 (AEA regulatory update), which contained a number of significant changes that set the foundation for this long-awaited March 2, 2016, revised policy memo.

The memo states that after initial approval, applicable ADS-B Out systems can be installed on aircraft not covered by that approval. AEA says that ADS-B Out systems that have previously received FAA approval and meet all of the specific criteria of the memo may be installed and returned to service on other aircraft without further data approval

Following installation of a compliant ADS-B Out system, the general section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) must be revised as indicated in the memo. However, "Applicable AFM revisions do not require FAA approval."
 
The memorandum also points out that while using previously approved data, it is the installer's responsibility to ensure they have satisfied 14 CFR 91.403 (d) and have legal rights to the intellectual property of the data being used as a basis for the follow-on installation.

The Aircraft Electronics Association says it is pleased with the final release of the memorandum. While the FAA has chosen not to completely sunset the "special treatment" of ADS-B, it has produced criteria that will greatly enhance follow-on installation criteria while minimizing the administrative burden to the installer, and ultimately, the administrative costs to the end user.
 
The AEA encourages member companies to thoroughly read the memorandum as well as AC 20-165B.

(Source: AEA news release)

FMI: Memo