Nov. 23, 2021
Two FAA-managed ADS-B tools – the Service Availability Prediction Tool (SAPT) and ADS-B Deviation Authorization Pre-Flight Tool (ADAPT) – are back online after a short outage earlier this month.
SAPT helps operators comply with §91.227, which requires operators to ensure they are capable of meeting navigation accuracy category of position and navigation integrity category values for the duration of any flight by predicting ADS-B sufficiency in specific flight times and equipment configurations. Learn more about SAPT.
ADAPT allows operators without ADS-B or with inoperative ADS-B to request an authorized deviation from ADS-B equipment requirements from the FAA. ADAPT is not a tool to seek relief from the ADS-B installation mandate; rather, it is intended to be a temporary relief for purposes of obtaining installation or repairs. ADAPT requires the aircraft be equipped with an operational transponder and operational altitude encoder (e.g., Mode C). Learn more about ADAPT.
The recent outage, which was an intentional shutdown by the FAA due to cybersecurity concerns, was brought to NBAA’s attention the week of Nov. 8 when the association was told the outage could last several months.
“Industry quickly engaged with the appropriate FAA teams to ensure the agency understood the criticality of the tools,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA’s senior director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “We also questioned the FAA about the process and timeline for bringing the systems back online.”
Williams said the FAA was quick to respond and appropriate enhancements were made to conform to the latest cybersecurity protocols.
If the site is down again in the future, the FAA will issue a NOTAM advising how operators can get assistance.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.