FAQs
Why is the FAA deploying ADS-B technology?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is transforming air traffic control from a groundbased network to a satellite-based system called ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast). As the cornerstone of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), ADS-B will increase the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.
I have traffic and weather advisory information now. How is ADS-B different?
ADS-B broadcasts are free services provided by the FAA. There will be no subscription charges for these basic services, which include weather, traffic, and aeronautical information.
What is FIS-B?
FIS-B is a component of ADS-B broadcast services. It is the ground-to-air broadcast of meteorological and aeronautical information to the cockpit. FIS-B products may be textual or graphical. They provide data to the cockpit for the display of weather and other aeronautical data.
What weather products do I get?
The basic, free FIS-B service will transmit graphical and textual weather, as well as other aeronautical products. These include:
- Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METARs)
- Special Aviation Reports (SPECIs)
- Terminal Area Forecasts (TAFs) and their amendments
- NEXRAD (regional and CONUS) precipitation maps
- Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Distant and Flight Data Center
- Airmen's Meteorological Conditions (AIRMET)
- Significant Meteorological Conditions (SIGMET) and Convective SIGMET
- Status of Special Use Airspace (SUA)
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
- Winds and Temperatures Aloft
- Pilot Reports (PIREPS)
- TIS-B service status
What is TIS-B?
TIS-B is a ground-based uplink of air traffic radar targets. TIS-B is an advisory-only application designed to enhance the pilot's visual acquisition of surrounding traffic and increase situational awareness.
Do I have to subscribe to this service?
No, you do not have to subscribe to receive any of these basis services. You only need to equip with compatible equipment and be located in an ADS-B service volume area to receive TIS-B and FIS-B information.
When will the ADS-B services be available in my area?
It depends on your location; rollout has already begun. The FAA expects the contractor, ITT Corporation, will have the services throughout the entire National Airspace System by 2013. You can go to the FAA Surveillance and Broadcast Services website for the latest information on ADS-B deployment.
What was the contract awarded to ITT by the FAA?
On August 30, 2007 ITT Corporation was awarded a $207 million initial contract by the FAA to lead a team to develop and deploy the ADS-B system. ADS-B is a key component of the FAA's NextGen program intended to increase safety and efficiency to meet the growing needs of air transportation.
The period of performance for the initial contract is three years, with a contract value of $207 million. The contract has a potential value with all options exercised of $1.86 billion.
What is ITT's role?
ITT is the lead systems integrator on the ADS-B ground infrastructure program. Under the contract, ITT will be responsible for overall system integration and engineering and under contract options will operate and maintain the system after deployment through September 2025.
Who are ITT's teammates?
The ITT team includes its partners AT&T, Thales North America, WSI, SAIC, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Aerospace Engineering, Sunhillo, Comsearch, MCS of Tampa, Pragmatics, Washington Consulting Group, Aviation Communications and Surveillance Systems (ACSS), Sandia Aerospace and NCR Corporation.