FAA completes nationwide coverage for GPS aircraft tracking
In the wake of the mystery disappearance of Malaysian Airlines MH370, the FAA is pressing ahead with next generation aviation tracking using GPS satellite technology.
It has long been working on a system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) and says it will become mandatory by 2020.
The ADSB radio network lets air traffic controllers monitor aircraft movements from start to finish provided an aircraft has the GPS-friendly equipment fitted.
The FAA announced all ground control centers in the US now have the necessary equipment to be able to track all compliant aircraft in US airspace, but only 100 of the 230 centers use it currently.
Also, it will take time to fit all planes in service with the GPS based transponders, although many aircraft are already equipped with ADS-B, according to aviation expert Greg Feith.
"A lot of aircraft are being equipped with it and now the infrastructure is built to use ADS-B here in the United States, the rest of the world will follow suit," Feith said.
In a statement announcing the FAA’s completion of nationwide ADS-B coverage, US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "This state-of-the-art satellite system is already providing controllers with visibility in places not previously covered by radar."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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