Press Release

Issued by Duncan Aviation.

October 17, 2019

Duncan Aviation would like to encourage aircraft (AC) owner/operators who upgraded to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) in 2014 or 2015 to make sure their system is transmitting in compliance with FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) 91.227.

In early 2019, the FAA published a safety briefing that looked at the rate of non-performing emitters (NPE). The emitters perform the Broadcast-Out requirement of ADS-B, periodically and automatically sending signals regarding the aircraft's position, speed, location in relation to other aircraft, and other information to air traffic control and other aircraft in the area.

“A recent report run by our market research supervisor here at Duncan Aviation found that there are more than 7,700 aircraft with NPE,” says manager of completions and modification services sales Nate Klenke. “Many of the aircaft with NPEs were likely installed more than four years ago or prior to changes made in the mandate and implemented over the years after its initial announcement. Some, however, may be a result of an improper installation or equipment configuation.”

Here are some common reasons the emitter may not be transmitting:

- Incorrect software version or improper configuration: Either issue can reduce the accuracy of the aircraft's position

- Incorrect emitter category: This happens when the ADS-B system transmits the wrong emitter category based on its maximum take-off weight

- Incorrect Flight ID: This happens when the aircraft's registration for Mode S doesn't match the Flight ID

- Transmitting airborne data: An error when the signal is transmitting but the aircraft is on the ground

Roughly one hour after a flight, operators should go to the FAA's website and request a Public ADS-B Performance Report (PAPR). The PAPR helps operators verify that their ADS-B equipment is functioning properly.

If they are unable to determine whether their AC is in compliance, they should send an email to the FAA and include the following information:

- Aircraft registration number (N-number) in the subject line

- In the body of the email, include:

- Flight identification code

- Flight date and time

- Make/model of ADS-B transmitter and GPS

- Any ADS-B avionics operating abnormalities you have observed or reported during the flight

Operators should then receive a report from the FAA showing what parameters of their system have failed.