FAA Approves ADS-B For Gulf

The FAA’s Joint Resource Council approved an agency plan to invest in development of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) as the U.S.’s next-generation air traffic control system. The satellite-based system’s first application under that plan will be in the Gulf of Mexico next year, a move of particular interest to offshore helicopter operators. Those operators currently have little or no contact with ATC, in terms of surveillance or communications, and no federally provided weather services. Helicopter Assn. International, and helicopter and energy industry officials, in May signed an agreement with the FAA creating a partnership under which rig owners will provide space on their platforms and helicopter companies will transport gear and personnel to support ADS-B in the Gulf. More