In a letter dated February 18, Darren Pleasance, President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), accused the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of using ADS-B system data to justify sanctions and legal actions that he described as abusive.
The letter was addressed to FAA Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau, with copies sent to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and key members of the U.S. Congress. AOPA, the world’s largest aviation association, represents more than 400,000 pilots across 75 countries, including Brazil, as reported by AEROIN, our affiliated media outlet.
Concerns Over ADS-B Data Usage
Pleasance pointed out that aircraft owners have invested over $500 million to comply with ADS-B regulations, which became mandatory in the U.S. in 2020. The FAA had assured that the positioning data would be used solely to enhance air traffic safety.
However, according to AOPA, these ADS-B data have been used to block legal water landings and support baseless lawsuits. "We are witnessing enforcement actions based on ADS-B data to prevent legal water landings or to justify groundless legal claims, where plaintiffs allege nuisances, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress—even when aircraft are flying at 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above ground level in full compliance with FAA regulations," Pleasance stated.
Additionally, he warned that pilots are facing high legal costs to defend themselves, while some companies contracted by public airports have used ADS-B data to charge general aviation aircraft airport fees. "These actions raise serious concerns about both safety and individual privacy and must be properly addressed," he emphasized.
ADS-B and Its Role in Aviation
ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) is a system in which an aircraft's transponder broadcasts its position, allowing tracking via ground antennas without requiring active radar.
Since 2020, all civil aircraft in the U.S. have been required to use ADS-B, and several other countries are in the process of adopting similar regulations. Additionally, ADS-B data powers flight tracking platforms like FlightRadar24 and AirNav RadarBox.
Call for Stronger Privacy Protections in ADS-B Data Usage
Pleasance acknowledged that progress has been made in collaboration with the FAA, including initiatives like:
- Aircraft Displayed Data Limitation (LADD)
- Privacy ICAO Address (PIA)
- Provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
However, he stressed that more work remains to be done. "Given the ongoing concerns of pilots nationwide about the use of ADS-B data for purposes unrelated to safety, there is still much to be done in this area," he stated.
The letter reinforces AOPA’s call for safeguards to ensure ADS-B data is used appropriately, protecting both air traffic safety and pilot privacy.
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