Sept. 16, 2016
The FAA’s ADS-B rebate website is scheduled to go live on Sept. 19, allowing owners of eligible aircraft to apply for a $500 rebate for installing avionics required for ADS-B Out compliance.
Eligible aircraft must be U.S.-registered, fixed-wing, single-engine piston aircraft that are not already equipped with compliant ADS-B equipment. The FAA hopes the $500 rebate will encourage owners of eligible aircraft to comply with the ADS-B equipment requirements well ahead of the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline. The agency estimates a minimal rule-compliant ADS-B system would cost approximately $2,000, plus installation fees, for this type of aircraft.
“The purpose of the rebate program is to accelerate compliance of eligible aircraft but those aircraft owners aren’t the only ones to benefit from this program,” said Steve Brown, chief operating officer. “We know the more aircraft equipped with ADS-B, the safer and more efficient our aviation system becomes as NextGen capabilities are allowed to expand and mature.”
Aircraft owners must reserve their rebate on the ADS-B rebate website, then install the avionics after Sept. 19, 2016 but within 90 days of making the reservation on the ADS-B rebate website in order to receive the $500. After the scheduled installation date, owners have 60 days to fly the aircraft and validate the equipment and then will be able to claim the rebate.
“Aircraft owners and operators should plan their ADS-B upgrades as soon as possible, as we expect certified repair stations to have limited availability as the 2020 deadline approaches,” said Brown. “Aircraft not properly equipped by Jan. 1, 2020 could face grounding or significant operational limitations and the FAA will not be issuing an extension or any exemptions.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.