How many GBTs are working in Alaska today (May16, 2008)? The FAA can't tell me!
My friend Skip Nelson sent this out from China:
ADS-B Technologies is proud to announce the commissioning of its 7th Ground Broadcast Transceiver (GBT) site in China at the Badaling Great Wall Airport (40 22 34N / 115 56 27E).
Badaling GW Airport airport is located within site of the Great Wall of China and only 35 miles from downtown Beijing. It is the first privately owned General Aviation airport in China. The airport is owned and operated by the Jinggong Corporation.
ADS-B Technologies, LLC
www.ads-b.com
Showing posts with label aircraft avionics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aircraft avionics. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Questions for the FAA and the Alaska Aviation Industry
What is the viability of the equipage program for the VFR general aviation fleet in Alaska? Will the AIC agreement w/FAA really result in equipping 4000 aircraft in Alaska?
First of all the FAA intends to have the Capstone datalink available for most of the state’s IFR system without any equipage requirement.
What is at risk if we do not equip in the VFR coverage areas where radar isn’t available?
Most of Alaska's 4000 aircraft are VFR single engine general aviation aircraft flown by private individuals. Alaska’s VFR structure is the most hazardous aviation environment in the nation. At least the current data from NIOSH the FAA report this to be the case. The industries lobbing effort produced a loan program that suggests that the GA VFR aircraft owner will fork over $12,000 to equip with the Capstone two-way data-link. The FAA’s own pilot survey indicates that these airmen will not equip at that price.
How serious about the Capstone two-way data-link can the FAA be?
The AIC agreement with the FAA seems to require that 90% of all flight hours within a specified flyway must be by aircraft already equipped with the Capstone data-link capability. This is like a cell phone company requiring 90% of cell phone users by phones before they put up a tower. Just how serious is the FAA about deploying this service.
The FAA’s NPRM recommended that the Capstone two-way data-link not be considered for deployment until after 2020! Why?
The FAA’s NPRM did not address developing a comprehensive standard for NAS deployment of the Capstone developed two way data-link. Meaning that when such a standard is developed all previous equipment may not be able to play with the ground/satellite equipment.
Additionally, industry insiders indicate that “some standards” required by the NPRM would definitely not work with the current 400 aircraft already equipped by Capstone.
Why didn’t the Palin Administration recommend a General Aviation Grant Program?
Industry insiders have indicated that the grant program is seen as a give away program to an elite group of rich folks with airplanes. No legislator will risk the possible public scrutiny of such a program. There is no reason to believe that this situation will change.
Is FAA going to request financial incentive for operators to purchase the Capstone two-way data-link? If so will it be grants, loans, tax credits? Can we get to Nextgen without them?
Further complicating the equipage issue is the AOPA and the ATA’s response to the ADS-B NPRM. Both indicate that the real benefits of ADS-B cannot be realized without the two-way data-link developed/deployed by the Capstone program.
Also they indicate that deployment of ground/satellite equipment and the installation of the airborne equipment can not be realized any time soon (meaning within two decades) without some corresponding financial incentive for carriers and aircraft owner to equip.
The FAA has a long history of maintaining legacy infrastructures’ long after many people have stopped using them. The financial burden of maintaining the legacy infrastructure was studied by the Alaska Capstone office. The result was a big savings by FAA if the transition was financially facilitated by the government.
So why should the State of Alaska change their stance on the GA grant program until FAA answers the comment from ATA and AOPA?
AOPA says that the FAA will not address a standard for ADS-B, how can the cost of the equipment be reduced without a standard?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The price of a lie: The cost of ADS-B in Alaska
When will the price for Capstone ADS-B equipment see a reduction now that the FAA has announced that ADS-B out is to be used in the national air space for NexGen?
Experts and FAA officials say that manufacturers will not build any Capstone style ADS-B in and out (978Mghz) equipment until there is a standard. Once a standard is in place production will proceed and prices for the equipment will drop. Provided the FAA approves the Capstone style ADS-B nationwide.
According to a response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast (ADS-B) out performance requirements to Support air traffic control service 72 Fed. Register 56947 (proposed October, 5, 2007) Docket No. FAA-2007-29305 by the Air Transport Association, the FAA has yet to set a standard for ADS-B out and in. The ATA recommends using both (Capstone like) in the NAS, not solely ADS-B 1090 Extended Squitter out.
The Air Transport Association is made up of major airline members, and represents their interests. In their response to the NPRM the ATA voices their concern about this issue as one of the main stumbling blocks of ADS-B equipage issue, and implementation into the NAS.
“…the ATA is concerned that FAA already has signed a contract to initiate the implementation of an ADS-B ground infrastructure, but has not developed operating applications or technical standards for ADS-B In, nor reasonably assessed the substantially greater potential impact on operators of ADS-B In.
In other words the Capstone ADS-B used here in Alaska has “Out” and “In” and the FAA has yet to set a standard for both being used together.
The ADS-B out signal on 1090Mghz has an International standard adopted by the U.S. that is shared for ADS-B, TIS-B and air traffic control.
The “ Capstone ADS-B signal standards on 978 Mghz” issue is of concern here in Alaska now because Gov. Palin recently signed into law a low-interest revolving loan to equip Alaska aircraft with ADS-B.
The question here that is dying to be asked is…how could the FAA ask the State of Alaska to kick in money to equip aircraft if there is no “standard” for the equipment to be compatible, in the future?
Hank Krawkowski, chief operating officer for the Air Traffic Organization, said the FAA needs the Capstone Statewide Agreement Implementation Committee to obtain the funds under a memorandum of agreement for the state to receive $187 million in services from the FAA. This figure is included in proposed budgeting for Alaska of $493 million for future aviation infrastructure improvements.
I’ll bet Sarah Palin did not know that when she penned the bill to create the loan, another interesting detail is whether the Alaska Implementation Committee who signed an agreement with the FAA is aware of the limitations in front of them?
Experts and FAA officials say that manufacturers will not build any Capstone style ADS-B in and out (978Mghz) equipment until there is a standard. Once a standard is in place production will proceed and prices for the equipment will drop. Provided the FAA approves the Capstone style ADS-B nationwide.
According to a response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast (ADS-B) out performance requirements to Support air traffic control service 72 Fed. Register 56947 (proposed October, 5, 2007) Docket No. FAA-2007-29305 by the Air Transport Association, the FAA has yet to set a standard for ADS-B out and in. The ATA recommends using both (Capstone like) in the NAS, not solely ADS-B 1090 Extended Squitter out.
The Air Transport Association is made up of major airline members, and represents their interests. In their response to the NPRM the ATA voices their concern about this issue as one of the main stumbling blocks of ADS-B equipage issue, and implementation into the NAS.
“…the ATA is concerned that FAA already has signed a contract to initiate the implementation of an ADS-B ground infrastructure, but has not developed operating applications or technical standards for ADS-B In, nor reasonably assessed the substantially greater potential impact on operators of ADS-B In.
In other words the Capstone ADS-B used here in Alaska has “Out” and “In” and the FAA has yet to set a standard for both being used together.
The ADS-B out signal on 1090Mghz has an International standard adopted by the U.S. that is shared for ADS-B, TIS-B and air traffic control.
The “ Capstone ADS-B signal standards on 978 Mghz” issue is of concern here in Alaska now because Gov. Palin recently signed into law a low-interest revolving loan to equip Alaska aircraft with ADS-B.
The question here that is dying to be asked is…how could the FAA ask the State of Alaska to kick in money to equip aircraft if there is no “standard” for the equipment to be compatible, in the future?
Hank Krawkowski, chief operating officer for the Air Traffic Organization, said the FAA needs the Capstone Statewide Agreement Implementation Committee to obtain the funds under a memorandum of agreement for the state to receive $187 million in services from the FAA. This figure is included in proposed budgeting for Alaska of $493 million for future aviation infrastructure improvements.
I’ll bet Sarah Palin did not know that when she penned the bill to create the loan, another interesting detail is whether the Alaska Implementation Committee who signed an agreement with the FAA is aware of the limitations in front of them?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Equipage Bill Signed...but where is the money for General Aviation aircraft?
Governor Palin offered this bill on Jan. 25, 2008 with $4.8 million, she did her job. Now, it is up to industry to come up with $34 million more to equip 95 percent of Alaska's aircraft by an FAA deadline, can they do it?
A bill to offer a low-interest loan program to aircraft owners who install a new digital link technology in their aircraft was signed by Gov. Sarah Palin on April 9 in Juneau.
Senate Bill 249, which Palin sponsored and introduced Jan. 25, provides Alaskan airplane owners the opportunity to use a new low-interest revolving loan program to purchase Capstone-like avionics equipment for their aircraft.
The technology, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, was tested in Alaska and was formally called the Capstone Safety Project.
ADS-B is a data link that uses ultra-high frequency radio to send and receive information about other aircraft that uses the technology. Along with multi-function screens and air traffic displays, the equipment also gives pilots graphical weather information, terrain maps and flight information, including temporary flight restrictions and notices to airmen. ADS-B is nearly 10 times more accurate than radar and operates in real time.
The $4.8 million loan program for installation is offered through the state Department of Community, Commerce and Economic Development.
The program is also a key component to the Federal Aviation Administration's plans to adopt ADS-B throughout the state, according to the governor.
Statewide aviation officials, working in the Capstone Statewide Agreement Implementation Committee, last year signed a memorandum of agreement with the FAA to obtain $34 million and equip 95 percent of the most frequently flown aircraft. If this is accomplished, the FAA has said that it will invest $493 million in services and infrastructure improvements across Alaska.
Industry officials tried lobbying legislators for additional funding, but came up empty handed. That forced the idea of offering a 4 percent loan to commercial aviation operators, according to industry officials.
“This legislation is a crucial step to improving aviation safety,” Palin said in a written release. “Studies have shown very significant improvements in aviation safety in the areas around Bethel and Southeast where the FAA has built ground stations and planes have been outfitted with the new equipment. We are hoping for similar results over a much larger area of Alaska.”
Alaska has the highest number of pilots per capita of any state - about one in 78 Alaskans is a pilot. Alaska also has the highest aviation accident rates in the nation, three to four times higher than the national average for commercial aviation.
The FAA plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on ground stations that transmit the ADS-B signal, but it will be up to aircraft owners to outfit their planes.
FAA officials said nearly 4,000 aircraft statewide would need to install and use the equipment to justify spending nearly $500 million now in the future.
The FAA recently announced it intends to have NexGen ADS-B installed at most high aviation traffic areas in U.S. and in Alaska by 2013, and will have the technology deployed nationwide by 2020.
NexGen is the FAA's official term for the next generation of aircraft control systems, also known as ADS-B.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1350207/governor_signs_bill_approving_loans_for_aircraft_safety_equipment/
http://www.alaskajournal.com/
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/capstone/?CFID=32230658&CFTOKEN=da7e758f27c879cc-71C2099C-1372-4138-C96EF28CB07377E6&jsessionid=1230bc5481fa252c3131
http://www.cheltonflightsystems.com/default.htm
A bill to offer a low-interest loan program to aircraft owners who install a new digital link technology in their aircraft was signed by Gov. Sarah Palin on April 9 in Juneau.
Senate Bill 249, which Palin sponsored and introduced Jan. 25, provides Alaskan airplane owners the opportunity to use a new low-interest revolving loan program to purchase Capstone-like avionics equipment for their aircraft.
The technology, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, was tested in Alaska and was formally called the Capstone Safety Project.
ADS-B is a data link that uses ultra-high frequency radio to send and receive information about other aircraft that uses the technology. Along with multi-function screens and air traffic displays, the equipment also gives pilots graphical weather information, terrain maps and flight information, including temporary flight restrictions and notices to airmen. ADS-B is nearly 10 times more accurate than radar and operates in real time.
The $4.8 million loan program for installation is offered through the state Department of Community, Commerce and Economic Development.
The program is also a key component to the Federal Aviation Administration's plans to adopt ADS-B throughout the state, according to the governor.
Statewide aviation officials, working in the Capstone Statewide Agreement Implementation Committee, last year signed a memorandum of agreement with the FAA to obtain $34 million and equip 95 percent of the most frequently flown aircraft. If this is accomplished, the FAA has said that it will invest $493 million in services and infrastructure improvements across Alaska.
Industry officials tried lobbying legislators for additional funding, but came up empty handed. That forced the idea of offering a 4 percent loan to commercial aviation operators, according to industry officials.
“This legislation is a crucial step to improving aviation safety,” Palin said in a written release. “Studies have shown very significant improvements in aviation safety in the areas around Bethel and Southeast where the FAA has built ground stations and planes have been outfitted with the new equipment. We are hoping for similar results over a much larger area of Alaska.”
Alaska has the highest number of pilots per capita of any state - about one in 78 Alaskans is a pilot. Alaska also has the highest aviation accident rates in the nation, three to four times higher than the national average for commercial aviation.
The FAA plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on ground stations that transmit the ADS-B signal, but it will be up to aircraft owners to outfit their planes.
FAA officials said nearly 4,000 aircraft statewide would need to install and use the equipment to justify spending nearly $500 million now in the future.
The FAA recently announced it intends to have NexGen ADS-B installed at most high aviation traffic areas in U.S. and in Alaska by 2013, and will have the technology deployed nationwide by 2020.
NexGen is the FAA's official term for the next generation of aircraft control systems, also known as ADS-B.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1350207/governor_signs_bill_approving_loans_for_aircraft_safety_equipment/
http://www.alaskajournal.com/
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/capstone/?CFID=32230658&CFTOKEN=da7e758f27c879cc-71C2099C-1372-4138-C96EF28CB07377E6&jsessionid=1230bc5481fa252c3131
http://www.cheltonflightsystems.com/default.htm
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