Cargo Airline Association ADS-B data link evaluation and production

Abstract

The Cargo Airline Association (CAA) Automatic Dependence Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) project is a joint effort of the United States all cargo air carrier industry and the FAA. It is currently a key part of the FAA Safe Flight 21 Program, which was established at the recommendation of the RTCA Free Flight Select Committee in 1998. The CAA program was started in 1996 as a method to gain valuable operational benefits from the emerging ADS-B technology. Three major CAA member airlines (UPS, FedEx, and Airborne Express) formed a technical steering committee to explore bringing an ADS-B system to reality. The system was to be STC certified for use in revenue service for the three airlines. With the FAA Safe Flight 21 program consisting of the CAA larger aircraft systems development and the Capstone smaller aircraft systems development, ADS-B is rapidly maturing into a valuable element of the new National Airspace System.