SAVANNAH, GA – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Contract (ADS-C) for oceanic and remote area waypoint reporting. Gulfstream is the first purpose-built business-jet manufacturer to receive such approval.
ADS-C allows an air traffic controller to initiate the tracking of an aircraft's position from the ground using information sent at predetermined intervals from the jet's onboard sensors. The system enhances safety by automatically reporting when an aircraft deviates from its cleared altitude and route. It also provides meteorological data from the aircraft sensors to the air traffic control system.
ADS-C is part of the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) data link application, which will also include Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC). Late last year, Gulfstream completed a full FANS flight across the Atlantic Ocean using CPDLC with ADS-C. The flight was the first of its kind for a purpose-built business jet. ADS-C is available in the Gulfstream PlaneView avionics system with Certifications Delta and Echo. Certification Delta is available as an upgrade for large-cabin, PlaneView-equipped Gulfstream aircraft, while Certification Echo is provided on current in-production aircraft. Additionally, ADS-C will be included with CPDLC in Certification Foxtrot, which is undergoing testing.
