By Clinton Caroll
The South African Civil Aviation Authority issued a Mandate on 27 March 2024, requiring all aircraft operating in Class A and Class C airspace to be equipped with ABS-B Out capabilities by 1 June 2025.
AMENDMENT SA-CATS 2 of 2024 – The South African Civil Aviation Authority has released an amendment of Document SA-CATS 91 with the insertion in technical Standard 91.05.5 after section 1 of the following section:
“2. ADS-B (OUT) and Mode S 1090MHz Extended Squitter (ES) aircraft transponder requirements mandate
ADS-B and Mode S 1090MHz Extended Squitter Transponder is required within RVSM airspace from F290 to F410 and shall be applicable from 1 June 2025 (AIRAC)
ADS-B and Mode S 1090MHZ Extended Squitter Transponder is required within class A and designated class C airspace from 1 June 2025 (AIRAC)”
The revision to SA-CATS 91 will require all aircraft operating in RVSM airspace or passing through Class A and Class C airspace to have ADS-B Out transponders.
ADS-B is an advanced surveillance technology that integrates an aircraft’s positioning source, aircraft avionics, and ground infrastructure to establish a precise surveillance connection between aircraft and air traffic control (ATC).
ADS-B broadcasts information about an aircraft’s GPS location, altitude, ground speed, and other data to ATNS and other aircraft once per second via satellite or directly. Air traffic controllers and ADS-B-equipped aircraft can immediately receive this information.
This system helps to improve pilots’ situational awareness while allowing air traffic control to see you and other aircraft more accurately. It also provides an up-to-date airspace picture, allowing for optimised routing and improved aircraft sequencing. One of the other major benefits is more effective search and rescue services.
ADS-B In is an optional additional feature that allows aircraft to receive broadcasts from other aircraft, enhancing pilots’ situational awareness and enabling self-separation of aircraft. Unlike ADS-B Out, ADS-B In is not mandatory.
Furthermore, ADS-B In permits aircraft to receive broadcasts and data from the ground network, including traffic information (TIS-B) and weather updates (*FIS-B) *Only available in the USA and limited coverage in Europe.
Sadly this development will inevitably be at the cost of aircraft owners but many cost-effective solutions are available:
In most cases, a new transponder needs to be fitted using the aircraft’s original transponder antenna, transmitting on the 1090MHz frequency.
For aircraft with a VNE of 250kts or more, a diversity transponder, which includes adding a transponder antenna on the aircraft’s roof, is required.
There are a variety of products and brands available on the market to suit all budgets and aircraft specifications.
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