ADS-B network expands to Pennsylvania
The network of ADS-B ground stations continues to expand across the nation, with most of the eastern part of Pennsylvania now covered. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation is the latest agency to partner with the FAA to speed the installation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) ground stations.
With ADS-B ground stations now up and running at Lancaster, Queen City (Allentown), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and University Park (State College) airports, ADS-B weather graphics and traffic information is now available along the eastern seaboard from New Jersey to Florida, and in portions of Ohio, central Tennessee, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and central Arizona.
AOPA first demonstrated ADS-B to Pennsylvania officials in 2004.
They recognized the value of the system to pilots and opted to help fund the early installation in their state while ADS-B was still in a demonstration mode.
The FAA has now committed to ADS-B nationwide, to supplement and ultimately replace the radar and transponder system for air traffic surveillance and control.
The benefit to pilots is that ADS-B will also transmit weather graphics and other critical information to a cockpit display and can display the position of other nearby aircraft. (See " ADS-B: The Future Is Now.")
August 17, 2006
