31 JanBenefits of ADS-B for airline operators and passengers
ADS-B promises benefits for pilots across the board.
If you are a general aviation pilot, you are probably aware of the benefits of ADS-B including free datalink weather (graphical NexRAD, METARS, Winds aloft, and more) and a complete traffic picture for as little as $5K – $7K for compliant ADS-B equipment.
This video from NBC discusses the benefits of ADS-B for airline operators and passengers.
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Toward the end of the video there is a comment about the high cost of equipment required for ADS-B – and it is true that there are very expensive options available. Last year FreeFlight Systems was contacted by an airline whose fleet includes some “Classic” B757’s – no GPS at all. They wanted to make these aircraft ADS-B compliant so they could get better routing over Hudson Bay. We provided them our 1203 remote-mount GPS receivers that fully meet even the tough US standard for ADS-B GPS receivers – for around $15K per aircraft. With modifications to their transponders (they use a brand that is already ADS-B friendly) and some minor operational approvals they are completely ADS-B compliant and now taking full advantage of the benefits including fuel and time savings.
This cost is still high compared to a GA ADS-B system but by airline standards it is very low – and the payback from fuel savings is immediate and continues long after the equipment costs are recovered.
So, just as in the GA world, while there are very expensive ways to get ADS-B, with the right approach, you can be fully compliant and get the full benefits of the system for very modest outlays.
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