Rule2022-20508
Changes to Surveillance and Broadcast Services
Primary source
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Published
September 22, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action announces termination of the Mode-S Traffic Information Service (TIS) at 104 terminal Mode-S radar sites. The FAA is replacing these legacy terminal Mode-S radars via the Mode-S Beacon Replacement System (MSBRS) program, or may remove legacy terminal Mode- S radars as part of other ongoing activities. As each legacy terminal Mode-S Radar is replaced or removed, the FAA will no longer provide Mode-S TIS to capable transponders from that location. This change does not affect existing Traffic Information Service--Broadcast (TIS-B), Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Rebroadcast (ADS-R), or Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Same Link Rebroadcast (ADS-SLR) services currently provided to properly ADS-B equipped aircraft.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57818-57820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-20508]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 91
[Docket No.: FAA-2022-1212]
Changes to Surveillance and Broadcast Services
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notification of changes to Surveillance Services.
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SUMMARY: This action announces termination of the Mode-S Traffic
Information Service (TIS) at 104 terminal Mode-S radar sites. The FAA
is replacing these legacy terminal Mode-S radars via the Mode-S Beacon
Replacement System (MSBRS) program, or may remove legacy terminal Mode-
S radars as part of other ongoing activities. As each legacy terminal
Mode-S Radar is replaced or removed, the FAA will no longer provide
Mode-S TIS to capable transponders from that location. This change does
not affect existing Traffic Information Service--Broadcast (TIS-B),
Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Rebroadcast (ADS-R), or Automatic
Dependent Surveillance--Same Link Rebroadcast (ADS-SLR) services
currently provided to properly ADS-B equipped aircraft.
DATES: September 22, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions concerning
this action, contact: Michael Freie, Technical Advisor, Surveillance
Services, AJM-4, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation
Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597;
telephone: 202-528-2337; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cca1a5afa4ada9a0e2aabea9a5a98caaadade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="adc0c4cec5ccc8c183cbdfc8c4c8edcbcccc83cac2db">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
In 2018, the FAA commissioned a study to assess the safety and
economic impacts on general aviation owners and operators (from here on
referred to as ``the GA Community'') from the termination of Mode-S
Traffic Information Service (TIS). The purpose of this study was to
communicate information on the removal of Mode-S TIS from the National
Airspace System (NAS) through user outreach and engaging with non-
governmental organizations (e.g., AEA, AOPA, EAA, and GAMA). The
results of the study confirmed that removal of Mode-S TIS has no
significant adverse safety or economic impacts on the GA Community.
Therefore, beginning in
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2024, Mode-S TIS will terminate at each radar location as current Mode-
S radars are replaced by the Mode-S Beacon Replacement System (MSBRS)
program, or as legacy terminal Mode-S radars are removed as part of
other ongoing activities. The GA Community should no longer rely on
reception of TIS information from Mode-S capable radars.
I. Background
In 2000, FAA implemented Mode-S Traffic Information System (TIS)
via Mode-S radar data-link functionality. Mode-S TIS has also been
referred to informally as TIS-A by some in industry. Mode-S TIS was
implemented by FAA in response to an NTSB recommendation suggesting
improvement of situational awareness information for the general
aviation (GA) community not equipped with a traffic alert and collision
avoidance system (TCAS).
In May 2010, the FAA published 14 CFR 91.225 and 91.227, requiring
aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance--
Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment by 1 January 2020 in order to operate
in certain U.S. airspace. ADS-B was identified as the backbone for the
future of the FAA's Next Generation (NextGen) programs. From 2010
through 2020, the FAA funded deployment of approximately 700 ADS-B
radio stations across the U.S. to provide improved surveillance
coverage across the NAS. Along with improving surveillance coverage,
the FAA implemented functionality into ADS-B radio stations geared at
providing appropriately equipped GA aircraft with enhanced situational
awareness through both Traffic Information Services--Broadcast (TIS-B)
and Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Rebroadcast (ADS-R).\1\ In 2016,
FAA funded the addition of Automatic Dependent Surveillance--Same Link
Rebroadcast (ADS-SLR) service at the busiest U.S. airports with a
surface surveillance system.\2\
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\1\ More information on TIS-B and ADS-R can be found at the
FAA's NEXTGEN ADS-B website: <a href="https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb">https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb</a>.
\2\ FAA has two surface surveillance systems: ASSC (Airport
Surface Surveillance Capability) and ASDE-X (Airport Surface
Detection Equipment, Model X). See <a href="https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/atc/assc">https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/atc/assc</a> and <a href="https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/asde-x">https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/asde-x</a>.
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Traffic Information Services
In 2017, MITRE issued a report on Mid-Air Collision (MAC) rates
from 1990 to 2006. Upon the implementation of Mode-S TIS functionality
into FAA terminal radars, the data showed a decline of approximately 50
percent in the GA MAC rate from 2000 to 2003--when Mode-S TIS avionics
were first being installed in GA aircraft. This lower MAC rate
stabilized after 2003 when Mode-S TIS installations were largely
completed and stayed at the lower level until today. Reception of Mode-
S TIS information was not a functionality that was required for Mode-S
transponders. To this day, a very limited set of transponders are known
to be capable of receiving and processing Mode-S TIS information from
FAA terminal radars.
In the decades following the initial Mode-S TIS deployment, the FAA
implemented improved systems for provisioning information on proximate
aircraft to GA pilots through the use of TIS-B, ADS-R and ADS-SLR
services. These new services expand beyond the currently provided Mode-
S TIS. Now that the ADS-B mandate is in effect, and low-cost avionics
systems for receiving and displaying ADS-B, ADS-R, ADS-SLR and TIS-B
information are readily available, the GA community is able to obtain a
heightened situational awareness of the traffic around them. This is
especially true when flying around the terminal areas where significant
ADS-B coverage is available today.
As of April 3, 2022, approximately 127,755 aircraft have been
identified as being 1090ES, UAT, or Dual ADS-B In capable. The vast
majority of these are General Aviation aircraft due to the number of
portable ADS-B In devices or integrated ADS-B In/Out systems available
to this market.
Mode-S Radar Beacon Replacement System
Many FAA Mode-S terminal radars are approaching the end of their
useful lifecycle. Additionally, the FAA is facing an increased
maintenance cost from the inability to purchase parts, due to parts
obsolescence or part shortages, necessary to ensure continued
operational availability. To mitigate this, the FAA has initiated a
radar modernization effort called the Mode-S Beacon Replacement System
(MSBRS) program. Under this program, the FAA will replace at least
forty-six (46) aging Mode-S terminal radars starting in 2024. Starting
in 2024 as the new MSBRS radars replace the existing terminal radars,
the existing Mode-S TIS functionality will disappear at the location of
each replaced terminal radar.
During this timeframe, the FAA will continue to provide Mode-S TIS
through the existing terminal radars until the existing radar is
replaced with a new MSBRS radar. This document is intended to provide
time for GA aircraft owners and operators who have not yet equipped
with an ADS-B receiver to acquire and install, if appropriate, an ADS-B
In capable system.
Other FAA Surveillance System Improvement Activities
Independent of the MSBRS program, FAA is also engaged in multiple
activities aimed at improving existing surveillance systems. These
activities are aimed at reducing FAA operating costs and/or reducing
congestion on surveillance system RF frequencies. As these activities
proceed, FAA may remove one or more Mode-S terminal radars from
operation, which would eliminate Mode-S TIS at that location.
II. Industry Discussion on Mode-S TIS Removal
Using surveys and discussions with industry organizations, the FAA
was able to obtain the necessary data required to understand the
potential safety and economic impacts from removing Mode-S TIS
functionality from the existing terminal radars. FAA conducted surveys,
such as the General Aviation/Part 135 Air Taxi Activity Survey, to
produce a set of comprehensive data on Part 91 and Part 135 aircraft
and their operations. The FAA reviewed data from survey reports for
2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019, and discussed these reports with
industry association experts. The data from these reports were utilized
to study the relevant surveillance equipage for all types of aircraft:
Fixed Wing Piston, Fixed Wing turboprop single and multi-engine,
turbojet, and rotorcraft.
The FAA worked with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA) to develop a special survey of AOPA's members about the impacts
of eliminating Mode-S TIS. The survey was sent to 50,000 AOPA members
with 2,567 responses received by March 2021. A follow up survey was
conducted in an attempt to increase the percentage of AOPA members'
responses. The final number of respondents by May 2021 was 5,752--over
10% of the aircraft owners surveyed. After the final survey results
were received, AOPA and FAA performed a joint review of the collected
information. In addition to answering 31 specific questions about their
aircraft, its relevant avionics, hours, operations, and locations, the
GA community also submitted over 700 comments pertaining to the impact
of terminating Mode-S TIS. More than 50% of the GA community stated
that there would be no or little impact to their traffic
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awareness capability and safety due to the removal of Mode-S TIS.
Over the last 3 years, the FAA has conducted industry briefings and
discussions with major avionics manufacturing companies on the MSBRS
program and the associated planned removal of Mode-S TIS from terminal
radars. These discussions assisted in gathering pertinent information
on equipage and gaining insight into potential concerns.
III. Summary
Based on data obtained from the aviation community and feedback
received through industry engagement, FAA has determined that the
overall safety and economic impacts due to the removal of Mode-S TIS
functionality will have little to no impact on the GA community.
Replacement of the existing terminal radars capable of providing
Mode-S TIS under the MSBRS Program will provide an improvement in ATC
capabilities, which will benefit military and civil aviation, including
General Aviation. Installation of the new state-of-the-art Mode-S
radars will improve system operational reliability and reduce system
down time.
Removal of legacy terminal Mode-S radars may occur as part of other
ongoing FAA activities to divest radars or which are being replaced
with other modern cooperative surveillance systems. These activities
are being pursued to lower FAA operating costs and/or reduce congestion
on surveillance system RF frequencies.
Aircraft operating within ADS-B mandated airspace, specified under
14 CFR 91.225, have transitioned their avionics equipment to be
compliant with the performance requirements of the regulation. If the
ADS-B Out equipment is performing and configured properly, aircraft
equipped with ADS-B In are capable of receiving ADS-R, ADS-SLR, and
TIS-B services from the FAA ADS-B ground stations across the NAS. These
low-cost ADS-B In avionics systems are widely available, and provide
the GA community with a heightened situational awareness of the traffic
around them which was not previously available using solely Mode-S TIS
information. These services expand coverage and more than replace the
information currently provided by Mode-S TIS.
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 16, 2022.
Mark DeNicuolo,
Vice President, Program Management Organization, Air Traffic
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2022-20508 Filed 9-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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