The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) clearing the trial use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) systems on four United Parcel Service Boeing 727-100 freighters.
The system, developed by the US Cargo Airline Association and avionics specialist II Morrow, uses satellite-based positioning information to monitor traffic around the aircraft, offering potential safety and efficiency improvements.
Approval to equip four FedEx 727-200s and four Airborne Express McDonnell DouglasDC-9s is expected this year.
The aircraft will participate in an ADS-B trial as part of the FAA's Safe Flight 21 programme.
Source: Flight International
