News Air Traffic
Canada outlines ADS-B timeline, beginning with Class A and B

NAV Canada outlined plans to implement a new mandate that will require aircraft operators flying in certain domestic airspace to meet Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Out Performance Requirements.

“ADS-B is a foundational building block for our future airspace and operations,” said Raymond Bohn, President and CEO of NAV CANADA. “The Canadian equipage mandate − when combined with NAV CANADA’s space-based surveillance capabilities − will enhance safety and service.”

The mandate will come into effect in Class A and B Canadian airspace above 12,500 feet on February 23, 2023. NAV CANADA explains future implementation of a mandate in areas within Class C, D and E will leverage a phased approach. Aircraft operators and owners, continues NAV CANADA will have adequate time to meet the equipage requirements to use space-based ADS-B technology across the country. Implementation in these classes of airspace are to occur no sooner than 2026.

NAV CANADA explains space-based ADS-B is already being used and delivering safety and efficiency benefits to suitably equipped aircraft over Hudson Bay, the North Atlantic and in domestic airspace above 29,000 feet in Canada. In December 2021, NAV CANADA began providing service to appropriately equipped aircraft below 29,000 feet in the Montreal Flight Information Region and plans to expand to the Edmonton and Winnipeg Flight Information Regions later this year, prior to the mandate going into effect in 2023.

To meet the ADS-B out mandate, aircraft will be required to:

• Be equipped with an appropriate transponder with ADS-B out capabilities and performance with the applicable standard of Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-260B, “Minimum Operational Performance Standards”, or newer.
• Have antenna capability for broadcast toward space-based ADS-B receivers emitting 1090 MHz extended squitter. This requirement can be met either through antenna diversity (the use of a top and bottom antenna) or with a single antenna that is capable of transmitting both towards the ground and up towards satellites.

To learn more about the safety and efficiency benefits being realized through the use of space-based ADS-B and the requirements for equipage please visit NAV CANADA’s website.