FAA has issued an advisory circular (AC) providing guidance for initial installation and airworthiness approval of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment on aircraft.

AC 20-165, dated May 21, "describes an acceptable means, but not the only means, to install ADS-B Out equipment. However, if you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it entirely," FAA states.

The AC covers installation of ADS-B equipment, updates to the flight manual, updates to instructions for continued airworthiness, guidance for interfacing systems, ground test and flight test.

ADS-B equipment must meet the requirements specified in Technical Standard Order (TSO) C166b , for 1090 MHz Extended Squitter transponder, or TSO-154c, for 978 MHz Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) . System components for ADS-B Out functionality are described as the ADS-B equipment, a position source, a barometric altitude source, an air-ground status source, a TCAS II source if the aircraft is so equipped, an optional heading source and associated antennas and displays.

On May 27, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the issuance of a final rule establishing ADS-B avionics performance requirements by 2020.

Editor’s Note: Avionics Magazine will host an interactive webinar, “ADS-B: Progress and Implementation,” on June 9 at noon ET. For more information, see www.aviationtoday.com/webinars/2010-0609.html