I’ve heard there is a new ADS-B Out rebate for general aviation operators and I have some questions.
Question: Who is eligible?
Answer: U.S.-registered, fixed-wing, single-engine piston aircraft first registered before January 1, 2016. ADS-B equipment installations completed before the October 12th rebate re-launch will not qualify for the program. The rebate is limited to one per owner/entity and only FAA certified ADS-B equipment will qualify for the rebate. Please visit our website for the full rebate eligibility requirements. (https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/rebate/)
Question: How do I get a rebate?
Answer: There are five steps aircraft owners should follow to meet the mandate and receive the $500 rebate:
- Purchase the equipment and schedule installation.
- Obtain a Rebate Reservation Code by reserving a position online.
- Install the equipment.
- Conduct the required equipment performance validation and get an Incentive Code.
- Claim the $500 rebate online using the Rebate Reservation Code and Incentive Code.
As with the earlier rebate program, the rebate program is available only to those who have not yet equipped their aircraft and previously have not received a rebate. Please refer to the ADS-B Rebate Program web page for all the rules (https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/rebate/).
Question: How do I know what equipment to install?
Answer: There are two great resources to figure out what equipment you need:
Question: What if my aircraft is located a long distance from ADS-B rule airspace?
Answer: If you are located too far from “rule” airspace, your next option is to climb above 10,000 feet MSL to conduct your validation flight, if your aircraft performance permits.
Question: Can the controller provide me the information I need to validate my flight?
Answer: No. The controller station does not provide the detailed information needed. You can only validate your system’s performance by requesting a Public ADS-B Performance Report (https://adsbrebate.faa.gov/PAPRRequest.aspx) as described on the FAA website. Additionally, we do not want to encourage unnecessary radio communication. Unless the controller asks, there is no need to explain that you are conducting a validation flight. Please note that you do not have to make special flights for the rebate. You can request flight validation after your next routine flight.
Question: I have heard from the previous rebate that pilots had been denied the rebate even though they had flown for more than the required 30 minutes. Why is that?
Answer: The minimum requirement includes a flight in ADS-B rule airspace for at least 30 minutes. In the past we have found that pilots did not completely understand when they were in rule airspace. In other instances, pilots flew near the limits of rule airspace and were not detected as being in rule airspace for the entire 30 minutes. Be sure to determine where “rule” airspace is before your validation flight. You can download a Google Maps plug-in to help you visualize this here: https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/research/airspace/.
Don’t Get Left in the Hangar. Equip Now!
There are only 14 months remaining before the January 1, 2020 ADS-B Out equipage deadline.
For more information about the ADS-B Out rule, equipment and airspace requirements, and the rebate, please visit: www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/.
