Engineering and completions company Flying Colours has secured US supplemental type certification (STC) for retrofits of an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast out (ADS-B Out) system on the Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet.
A first example of the super-midsize type has already been retrofitted and delivered to its US-based owner, according to the Peterborough, Ontario-based company, and other projects are under way.
Canadian and European approvals for the update are expected to follow later this year.
Bombardier Aerospace
In October 2015, Flying Colours secured an STC for the ADS-B Out system on out-of-production Bombardier Challenger 604 and 605 business jets, and retrofits on these large-cabin types have also begun.
ADS-B Out is designed to improve air traffic management by enabling an aircraft to continuously transmit highly accurate position and status information to air traffic control. The feature will become compulsory in the USA from 2020 for all aircraft that fly in airspace that currently requires a Mode C transponder.
Aircraft operating in European airspace from 7 December 2017 must also be ADS-B Out compliant if their maximum take-off weight is greater than 5,700kg (12,500lb), or their maximum cruise speed exceeds 250kt (460km/h).
Source: Flight International
