Canadian ADS-B Out Performance Requirement Mandate Aeronautical Study - NAV CANADA

NAV CANADA is proposing to mandate a performance requirement for the use of ADS-B OUT within the Canadian Domestic Airspace.

A significant step forward for Air Traffic Services (ATS) surveillance will be the availability of global surveillance coverage via Aireon enabled by ADS-B receivers carried on the Iridium NEXT’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Aireon service is planned to be fully operational in mid-2018. NAV CANADA, as an Aireon customer, will use the service to expand and augment ATS surveillance coverage which can be used for the reduction in separation standards and increase flight information services. 

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) specifies Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) OUT 1090 (digital data link frequency in MHz) ES (extended squitter) as the preferred surveillance system in the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan. In addition, the Transport Canada PBN State Plan (February 2015 Block 1 2018-2022 and Section 9.2.3. – Surveillance) Strategic Direction identifies the following Key Goals:

·         Plan for the mandatory use of ADS-B in designated airspace;

·         Require ADS-B equipment for use in designated airspace; and

·         Develop and implement policy to ensure smooth transition to ADS-B.

NAV CANADA is conducting an aeronautical study to examine the proposal to mandate aircraft performance requirements for the use of ADS-B OUT within the air navigation system (ANS).

Please identify any needs, issues or concerns your members might have as they relate to the proposed Canadian ADS-B OUT performance requirement Mandate by the end of December 2017. Please feel free to forward this email to whomever you deemed should participate in the consultation process. The Terms of Reference can be found at the following link:

Canadian ADS-B Out Mandate TOR

The actual implementation of the proposed mandate would be phased in over a period of a few years which are to be determined through consultation and  must be identified in the coming months (November/December) to allow for the development of a sound implementation strategy that meets the needs of aircraft operators and air traffic controllers.