The transition from radar to ADS-B is expected to take more than 13 years and may cost you, personally, close to $9,000. The FAA is now giving you an extra 60-days to add your thoughts on its Notice of Proposed Rule Making — the comment deadline is now March 3. Currently, some forecasts expect the transition to cost the average aircraft owner about $9,000 in necessary equipment upgrades should ADS-B compliance become mandatory, as planned by 2020. All aircraft flying within Class B and C airspace and above 10,000 feet would need to carry the equipment. On the whole, the FAA predicts that the industry faces a projected investment of between $1.27 billion and $7.46 billion.
With those costs in mind, AOPA petitioned the FAA to add a 60-day extension to the comment period so that more research may be employed regarding the financial feasibility and impact of a mandatory equipment upgrade and effective long-term oversight of a contracted ADS-B program. For more information, click here (PDF document).
