Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast

In this diagram, we show the continued evolution of the equipage, categorized in the three populations as effectively created by the most recent amendment of the mandate. The diagram is updated monthly and is based on airline planning data covering 60% of the EU-based, mandated fleet, responsible for at least 85 % of monthly IFR movements. The evolution of the actual equipage (solid green curve) is monitored by EUROCONTROL.

Note: 

• CIR (EU) 2020/587 creates an indefinite exemption for airframes with first individual CoA dated before 7 June 1995. This fleet is excluded from the diagram from data point 07-Dec-2020.
• Following the publication of CIR (EU) 2020/587, SDM re-surveyed a portion of airspace users for their updated implementation plans. Due to a lack of near-term planning stability, brought on by the COVID crisis in the aviation industry, the diagram respects the results of the survey as of data point 01-Jan-2022.
• SPI IR also includes a mandate on Mode S surveillance; Mode S ELS must be fitted from 7 Dec 2020, whereas Mode S EHS regime is similar to the ADS-B regime depicted in the diagram.

The figure above shows the ratio of ADS-B version 2 flights per month and per geographical area. By moving the slider the evolution of the equipage ratio can be observed from January 2018 up to today.

The following maps show the present extent of ground-based ADS-B coverage generated by installed systems, estimated at 5000ft AGL and FL300. The coverage was modelled on top of the EU Copernicus Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and actualized to December 2020.

The coverages shown are generated by ADS-B capable systems in operational use (dark green), in evaluation (light green) or coverage available but not (yet) operationally used (yellow). This comprises standalone ADS-B Ground stations as well as other systems with ADS-B capabilities, including Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) systems, airport multilateration systems and Mode S radars.

ADS-B coverage available 2020, 5000ft AGL

ADS-B coverage available 2020, FL300

Note that the view is not exhaustive, there are additional known deployment activities where siting decisions are yet to be made.

ADS-B coverage planned 2023, 5000ft AGL

ADS-B coverage planned 2023, FL300

In parallel to the deployment of ADS-B capable sensors to achieve the intended coverage, the other main step for ANSPs is to integrate ADS-B data in the surveillance chain.

If the integration is properly synchronized across domains and supported by a competent programme to catalyze ground investment plans, a large majority of European ANSPs indicated in 2019 that they could start providing separation using ADS-B in the continental airspace by end of 2023, assuming that 95% of EU commercial fleet will be ADS-B equipped and that outstanding technical and/or regulatory issues in the space, airborne and ground domains are satisfactorily addressed.

The 2018 edition of the ADS-B Implementation Plan established that the target date of the SPI IR, 7th June 2020, was not likely to be achieved by a non-negligible portion of the affected EU-based Airspace Users. Continuous monitoring of the implementation effort currently predicts the achievable compliance rate of the mandated fleet as approaching 80%. In order to provide an appropriate measure of legal accommodation of the residual fleet, the European Commission published COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/587.

The regulation amends the existing SPI IR 1207/2011 and 1206/2011. Concerning the airborne implementation, it provides, beside the general shift of the compliance date, conditional transitional arrangements and exemptions.

Link to Regulation

Link to AMC/GM

Beside the transitional arrangements and the exemption scheme depicted in the figure above, the CIR 2020/587 revised other parts of the implementing rule.

EASA released AMC/GM to the SPI IR regulation giving further information, definitions and recommendations on several articles and paragraphs as shown in the figure below, ordered by the addressed stakeholder groups.

There are numerous ADS-B mandates anticipated or already in place in many parts of the world. The map below shows in green the regions requiring at least ADS-B version 0, in blue the ones requiring ADS-B version 2, together with the anticipated date of entry-into-force, and in grey where regulatory activity is ongoing and mandates are expected in the near future. The map is maintained and updated as new information becomes available.

Space-based ADS-B is a relatively recent technology that utilizes a network of satellites to provide ADS-B coverage “from above”. The constellation listens to ADS-B messages broadcast from aircraft and forwards them to subscribers using a low latency link.

Aireon is the world’s first provider of this service and operates a space-based air traffic surveillance system for ADS-B equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon harnesses next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were previously only ground-based and, for the first time ever, extend their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Real-time ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar and remote regions, as well as augment existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. The Aireon system is hosted on Iridium’s network of 66 LEO satellites providing complete global coverage.

The performance of the space-based ADS-B surveillance by Aireon allows a drastic reduction in ICAO Doc 4444 PANS ATM longitudinal and lateral separation minima in the oceanic airspace for aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out. The corresponding amendment of ICAO Doc 4444 PANS ATM is currently pending publication, anticipated 5th November 2020. To apply these new separation standards, a number of prescribed conditions must be met, including specific RNP and RCP requirements. The new standards reduce the applicable minima to 19 NM / 17 NM longitudinal and can be further reduced to 15/14 NM in specific traffic conditions. NAV CANADA and NATS have been applying these new separation standards in the NAT Region since 2019, with other ICAO NAT ANSPs expected to follow suit.

On some North Atlantic Tango Routes, Space-based ADS-B has already been introduced as the main surveillance technology providing automatic position reporting. As such, the newly introduced NAT ADS-C requirement will not apply to ADS-B capable users on those specific routes. For more information, see the respective section of the UK AIP (link).

Space-based ADS-B will also enable continental coverage and ANSPs will be able to procure this product as a surveillance service.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified Aireon as a new air navigation service provider (ANSP) in May 2019, a first of its kind safety certification. Under the certification, Aireon is authorized as the first-ever certified provider of aircraft surveillance-as-a-service for oceanic separation of aircraft.

Shortly after the certification from EASA, Aireon and EUROCONTROL signed an agreement to use space-based ADS-B data to enhance air traffic flow management in Europe.