Over the next two decades, the FAA is predicting a steady growth in air travel and to better prepare for the forecasted increase, an overhaul of the national airspace system is warranted. Older generation technology such as radar-based air traffic surveillance and navigation by reference to land-based navigational aids simply cannot sustain the anticipated air travel growth rates.

ADS-B offers benefits well beyond compliance, which are realized today. Safer and more efficient operations enable ADS-B Out aircraft to send highly accurate WAAS position data to air traffic control once per second, so they in turn have access to enhanced information to better predict aircraft position and intent. In turn, this enables ATC to provide pilots with better separation services, potentially reducing fuel burn and aircraft emissions. ADS-B further promises to offer surveillance in remote areas that do not currently offer coverage with antiquated radar technology. Aircraft that are equipped to broadcast ADS-B Out, have access to modern technology that is adaptable to withstand the predicted air travel growth for the future.

Equipping aircraft for future ADS-B initiatives has a direct return on investment for the aircraft owner, as well. Capitalizing on early adoption of ADS-B gives aircraft owners immediate and long term value added. In addition to monetary return, long-term return on investment will easily be quantified as the safety of flying public improves.

For this Air Traffic Modernization system to flourish, all of the aircraft that are operating in ADS-B airspace need to participate. This benefits the general aviation community, as well as corporate and airline operators. Embracing this initiative together helps realize the benefits of NextGen as a whole and prepares our industry to remain on track to make better technological advancements that ultimately impact safety in the future.

Aircraft have wide-ranging capabilities and requirements and Garmin has a broad product line to address the needs for a variety of aircraft types including experimental, general aviation, helicopter, business and transport category aircraft. For aircraft without modern display technologies, the GDL 84 ADS-B datalink presents many aircraft owners with a cost-effective solution to meet NextGen requirements without the need to drastically modify the panel of the aircraft, while having the flexibility of receiving the benefits on a mobile device.

The GDL 88 ADS-B datalink goes one step further to provide interface compatibility with a Garmin display in the panel. Pilots who already have a compatible Garmin display installed or those who are looking to upgrade to a compatible display, will find the GDL 88 achieves ADS-B In/Out while integrating with select Garmin avionics. The GDL 88 and GDL 84 are approved for hundreds of aircraft makes and models and provide pilots operating in the U.S. with a simple, straightforward option to meet airspace requirements.

Thousands of customers already equipped with Garmin avionics in their panel are provided an easy upgrade path to meet ADS-B airspace requirements, thanks to our heritage of scalable and upgradeable product designs. Aircraft owners who already have a GTX 330 or GTX 33 transponder and a WAAS position source such as a GTN 650/750 or GNS 430W/530W, can optionally pursue a simple Extended Squitter (ES) upgrade. This upgrade is a quick and easy path for a number of aircraft to meet ADS-B Out requirements.

Garmin offers comprehensive options for each segment of general aviation, which are adaptable to meet future requirements for a variety of aircraft types. For additional information, visit www.garmin.com/ads-b.