Weigh in on ADS-B

[scottfromiowa]

What do you think about ADS-B?  Chime in on the poll and post your comments...

[scottfromiowa]

As a general aviation pilot flying out of a rarely busy Class C airspace (Cedar Rapids, IA) I am NOT happy about FAA's upcoming requirements for ADS-B.  The cost to benefits for general aviation seem VERY SMALL.  I get it in Class B and higher airspace, based on congestion and use by heavies but these costs are going to drive more OUT of General Aviation...for what benefit to me?

[jax88]

(should we move this thread to general aviation?)

Unless I've missed something, here's how I see it impacting me (future costs to myself unknown at this point).

I like to have as many people as possible watching me and looking out for my safety while I'm flying.  As such I almost always take advantage of flight following services and file flight plans.  Just my personal choice to have additional eyes helping me avoid traffic and terrain when possible.

Sounds like the ADS-B out will eliminate those "holes" we sometimes find in the current system when flying in mountainous or remote areas.  This would be a benefit, albeit a small benefit, as I've yet to have a controller NOT allow me to continue on course and reestablish radar contact.  So, ADS-B out eliminates that small percentage of flying which I do in areas that have no radar coverage.

I don't typically fly to our most congested airports (usually because I can get cheaper fuel, no landing fees, lower overnight fees, etc. at smaller GA fields), so I'm pretty sure the ability to shorten approach gaps and increase traffic flow at these larger fields will provide no benefit to me.

Now, ADS-B in on the other hand may become an intriguing option for receipt of traffic and weather in my cockpit.  Obviously these options currently exist, so to make them beneficial to me, delivery of the data will need to be as near "real-time" as possible and implementation costs will need to be competitive with current methods of receiving the same data.

I currently do not have weather enabled on my Garmin 496, reason being the elapsed time between when the radar image was generated and when it reaches my aircraft.  The last thing I need is to be close enough to convective activity for this delay to be problematic.  My solution: watch it from the ground.  If ADS-B in will provide reliable, real-time weather and traffic so that I can make sound decisions in advance without having to wonder what has taken place in the last 5 minutes, I can see myself using it.

[Cruiser]

The requirement is not mandatory until 2020. We have 10 years to comply with whatever they end up requiring. You can bet it will be different from what it is now. Congress is already talking about rebates, funding, assistance to equip our planes.

Relax and enjoy the show.

[MB_M20F]

Quote: jax88

(I currently do not have weather enabled on my Garmin 496, reason being the elapsed time between when the radar image was generated and when it reaches my aircraft. [...])

[conom06d]

have any of you seen the new ADS-B antenna which can connect to an ipad or iphone? Supposedly the FAA is still passing the application and device but it should be a much cheaper and jsut as accurate solution by providing all of us an ads-b equipped aircraft.

 

personally i have used ADS-B throughout my training when i was at Embry-Riddle. i loved being able to see the aircraft around me as well as wx and terrain. It saved me many a time by enabling me to know my surroundings better. It is definitely a great safety device and can definitely see how the FAA will require it for everyone, however, i still think it is very possible to fly without one. I do not have one in my plane now but i would like one if they ever lower the price

[fantom]

Quote: conom06d

have any of you seen the new ADS-B antenna which can connect to an ipad or iphone? Supposedly the FAA is still passing the application and device but it should be a much cheaper and jsut as accurate solution by providing all of us an ads-b equipped aircraft.

 

personally i have used ADS-B throughout my training when i was at Embry-Riddle. i loved being able to see the aircraft around me as well as wx and terrain. It saved me many a time by enabling me to know my surroundings better. It is definitely a great safety device and can definitely see how the FAA will require it for everyone, however, i still think it is very possible to fly without one. I do not have one in my plane now but i would like one if they ever lower the price

[N6843N]

You need to redo your poll, not even the FAA wants it in ALL airspace, so I did not vote. I have been flying long enough to remember when the same hoopla was going on over transponders. I never did install one in the bird I had at that time. As mentioned it is over 10 years away, a lot can change in 10  years. I worry more about the cost/avalibility of the fuel we require.

[conom06d]

Quote: fantom

As long as you remember to look outside once in a while.

IMHO, all the glass, multipe GPS's, and PC's are major contributing factor to mid airs. Be careful up there!

[scottfromiowa]

JAX88.  I gladly pay the $50/month, although I wish it were less for Garmin basic weather and music.  It has made flying my regular two hour trips with family to cottages and back MUCH safer and relaxing.  I still get a briefing, but my last trip I was between two fronts with active weather (backside) about 50 miles east of my home base and another active coming my way.  I had a nice little corridor showing on GPS...piece of mind is worth a lot.  I am a conservative pilot and the 496 helps in summer when convective stuff "pops".  I/we once launched with weather just south of mid-point (LaCrosse, WI)  You could see the weather, but the 496 showed LaCrosse clear while enroute...piece of mind.  I believe if you got it for a month and tried it (also shows cloud cover depicted) you would NOT go back.  Another tool in the toolbox, and if you already own the 496 NOT a big deal to enable it.

Thanks everybody for your feedback so far.  Sorry for the "not the best" wording on the pole.  I have already learned some GOOD stuff on ADS-B that I did not know prior.  Scott

[jax88]

scottfromiowa:  I have actually decided to get it enabled before my next cross country.  I'd rather have the xm weather image delayed than to find myself without any image because my iphone can't get a signal.

ADS-B could be viewed as another tool, but as other point out, we all still have to be diligent about lookint outside.  If I have learned anything about this wonderful institution we call our government, they will be convinced by some lobby to exclude a certain type of aircraft/airspace/pilot group from the requirement of having ADS-B, and that means there will be a possibility of stumbling upon an aircraft not visible on our ADS-B display.