With new FAA regulations requiring most fixed-wing aircraft, and potentially even hot air balloons and gliders, to have an ADS-B — automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast — system by Jan. 1, 2020, there may be an opportunity for aerospace jobs in Crestview.
This system will have to be installed by avionics technicians at a maintenance, repair and overhaul depot, of which we have three at Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview.
The ADS-B system will receive an aircraft's position, speed, heading and altitude from a GPS satellite. It will broadcast this information so air traffic controllers, and other pilots in planes appropriately equipped, have this information, which could help avoid mid-air collisions.
This information is much more accurate than radar, as it is continuous, while radar sweeps only provide information every few seconds.
For jet planes traveling over 450 mph, this introduces a margin of error of over 2 miles. Having this extra information will help lighten the load for air traffic controllers and potentially improve flight safety. The FAA will also send weather information via the ADS-B.
Third-world countries embrace this technology, as they don't have to install complex, costly radar systems. A huge benefit to this system is avoidance of airborne collisions between planes flying too close to each other.
Although this is great technology, the cost to private plane owners is a huge drawback. The equipment costs between $5,000 and $10,000, plus installation charges; so this is a huge investment for civil aircraft owners, many of whom have aircraft worth around $48,000.
With Crestview’s aerospace companies, it seems a perfect match to this new FAA requirement. There is a potential for the local aerospace businesses to offer a complete avionics package at discounted rates by teaming up with a single avionics supplier.
Here is hoping that Bob Sikes Airport will get some of this potentially lucrative business and our area will gain more civilian jobs.
This is a great opportunity for retiring veterans — jobs that their prior training allows them to easily fill.
See http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/programs/adsb/faq/#1 for more information.
Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: New FAA regulations could lead to more Crestview jobs