How can ADS-L help me enhance my situational awareness in busy airspace?
ADS-L increases situational awareness by enabling more aircraft to see and be seen by other ADS-L aircraft. This is particularly useful in busy airspace.
Will I need to coordinate with air traffic control to activate or deactivate ADS-L functionality?
No, ADS-L is currently not recognized by ATM services in EASA countries, but it could be used without restriction in any airspace (controlled or uncontrolled) for enhancing pilot’s situational awareness. There is ongoing research in ATM (ref. European Plan for Aviation Safety task RES.0032) which will identify cases where ADS-L could be beneficial for use in ATM. FIS, SAR and access to Transponder Mandatory or Radio Mandatory Zones are being considered. Results are expected by mid-2026.
How does ADS-L improve “electronic conspicuity” for drones or unmanned aircraft operating nearby?
Starting with its version 2, ADS-L will support the uplink of RemoteID messages, enabling ADS-L receivers to process drone information rebroadcasted by ground stations. This enhances the safety and situational awareness of GA pilots of drone operations and vice versa.
Will ADS-L be visible to other airspace users, such as commercial airliners or military aircraft?
It is not expected that certified avionics for commercial aircraft will support ADS-L in the near future. However, EASA is working on promoting the use of ADS-L also for ATM use cases such as improving air traffic controllers' situational awareness in complex airspaces. The visibility of ADS-L to controllers and other airspace users will enhance safety and reduce the risk of collisions.