Federal Aviation Administration May 28, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to remove Class E surface airspace at Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound, WA. Controlled airspace already exists in the Eastsound, WA, area to accommodate the safety and management of aircraft operations at Orcas Island Airport.

This final rule amends FAA regulations by adding equipage requirements and performance standards for Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) Out avionics on aircraft operating in Classes A, B, and C airspace, as well as certain other specified classes of airspace within the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). ADS-B Out broadcasts information about an aircraft through an onboard transmitter to a ground receiver. Use of ADS-B Out will move air traffic control from a radar-based system to a satellite-derived aircraft location system. This action facilitates the use of ADS-B for aircraft surveillance by FAA and Department of Defense (DOD) air traffic controllers to safely and efficiently accommodate aircraft operations and the expected increase in demand for air transportation. This rule also provides aircraft operators with a platform for additional flight applications and services.