UPS Aviation Technologies and the US Cargo Airlines Association will start flight trials of their automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology on cargo aircraft this month.
A dozen freighters, operated by FedEx, UPS and Airborne Express, have UPS Aviation Technologies' datalink technology to allow them to broadcast real-time position information, which can be received by similarly equipped aircraft and air traffic controllers.
The flight trials, being conducted in the USA's Ohio Valley, are part of the US Federal Aviation Administration's Safe Flight 21 programme, aimed at demonstrating future free flight capabilities. The flight trials will test three different datalinks to determine which one, or which combination, provides the best performance.
Meanwhile, the FAA has selected UPS Aviation Technologies, formerly II Morrow, to supply its avionics and datalink technology for a similar advanced flight technology demonstration in Alaska. The Capstone Programme, which is also part of Safe Flight 21, will provide ADS-B capabilities to general aviation aircraft.
Capstone flight trials are to start in late August and could result in up to 200 aircraft operated in Alaska being equipped with the technology by year-end. A ground broadcast server and a gateway processor are being installed at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center to receive ADS-B position reports.
Source: Flight International
