Originally published at: https://avweb.com/air-shows-events/aopa-air-shows-events/aopa-sun-n-fun-forum-adsb-mental-health/
Pilot group outlines federal and state advocacy priorities during town hall in Lakeland.
Greetings All, At Sun n’ Fun I visited the uAvionix booth and wanted to learn if the SkyEcho portable ADS-B ‘transponder’ and similar equipment from other manufactures would be available soon as the Part 108 proposals give drones ‘right of way’ over crewed aircraft?? For those of us flying Part 103 aircraft or others with electrical or other limitations this equipment needs to be made available yesterday! I would add that Experimental and Ultralight flyers: Hopefully there will be a Drone FUNDED discount on US provided equipment. Or get one from overseas as the FAA has provided the following on use of this equipment on Experimental and Ultralight aircraft:
July 26, 2024
Mr. Lou Toth
Lou Toth Aviation Services LLC 301 Pin Oak Ct.
Pensacola, FL, 32514 Dear Mr. Toth:
Aviation Safety 800 Independence Ave Washington, DC 20591
This letter is in response to your June 21, 2024, letter sent to the federal docket, Docket No. FAA-2024-1911. In yourletter you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Lou Toth Aviation Services LLC (LTAS) for an exemption from §§ 91.215 and
91.225 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). If granted, the exemption would allow LTAS to operate an experimental aircraft in airspace that requires Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out with uncertified equipment that does not meet the performance requirements of Section 91.225(b) to set a speed record.
LTAS states that they intend to construct an aircraft, “Aerolite 103,” and obtain an experimental airworthiness certificate under 14 CFR § 21.191. LTAS goes on to state that they intend to attempt speed records under a series of “R class National Aeronautics Association” over a recognized course in the United States. They state that theserecords are best accomplished between towered airports where controllers act as neutral observers to certify record results.
LTAS claims that the aircraft they intend to construct has no provision for a transponder or ADS-B Out installation,but that the use of such equipment would enhance safety when used in airspace where other aircraft operate. LTAS also asserts that there is only one commercially available equipment solution for what his intended use of suchequipment. The FAA notes that the Installation and Pilot’s Guide published by the manufacturer of the equipment LTAS indicates it wants to install on its aircraft states that the equipment is not approved for use within the United States of America by either the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or Federal Aviation Administration.
LTAS has requested relief from the requirements of 14 CFR §§ 91.215 and 91.225, which prescribe ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use and ADS-B Out equipment and use, respectively.
AFS-25-00276-E
However, for experimental category aircraft, there is no FAA approval required for a transponder or ADS-B Outsystem installation. Owners of experimental aircraft may elect to install equipment authorized under a Technical Standard Order (TSO), in accordance with the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer. Alternatively, owners of these aircraft may choose to purchase and install uncertified equipment. This information is specifically addressed and published on the FAA’s ADS-B Out Frequently Asked Questions website:https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/equipadsb/resources/faq.
Furthermore, pilots or operators may obtain a deviation from the transponder operating requirements using deviationauthority provided in 14 CFR § 91.215(d) and may obtain an authorized deviation from the ADS-B Out requirements under 14 CFR § 91.225(g).
Additionally, if LTAS chose to operate its Aerolite 103 as an ultralight vehicle under Part 103 ultralight vehicle rules, LTAS could also obtain ATC authorization to operate in certain airspace that would normally require ADS-B Out. Despite 14 CFR § 103.17 generally prohibiting an ultralight vehicle from operating within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, the operator may still obtain prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
Because the rules from which LTAS is seeking regulatory relief contain deviation provisions which would allow LTASto conduct its desired operations with authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the concernedairspace within the time periods specified, the FAA has determined that there is no regulatory relief required. Additionally, the FAA does not require approval for a transponder or ADS-B Out system installation on experimental category aircraft.
Therefore, the FAA will take no further action on this petition and close the matter since the petitioner is able to seek alternative means to accomplish his stated purpose based on the provided information.
Sincerely,
/s/
Hugh J. Thomas
Acting Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service
And the article is correct, the Mobile Airport Authority https://www.mobileairportauthority.com/ is using a 3rd party toll collector who uses ADS-B to charge landing (and touch and go) fees both within the Class C and Class D and G airports nearby in order to discourage flight training and other operations? Of course the large number of military trainers in the area are EXEMPT?? Welcome to gated public airports care of co-opted local ‘Authorities’ … D’0h? (Or just turn it off as a paragon of ‘Free Speech’)
Or as our 2 year old daughter said as we drove by the stockyards near Bakersfield, California decades ago: “I don’t smell something delicious.”