Show Me the $$

How to Get Your ADS-B Out Rebate

Source: FAA Safety Briefing Jan/Feb 2019
By: Paul Cianciolo

As you probably know by now, starting in 2020 all aircraft flying in airspace where a transponder is required today will need to be equipped with compliant Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) Out technology. As an incentive to equip now, the FAA relaunched its $500 rebate program that makes $4.9 million available for 9,792 ADS-B Out installations.

If you want to learn more about this incentive program, then read on. Last time this rebate was made available, a little more than 10,000 were paid.

If you own a fixed-wing, single-engine piston aircraft that requires an onboard human pilot and was first registered before January 1, 2016, then you are eligible for the current rebate program. However, owners of multiple eligible aircraft may apply for only one rebate. Rebates are not available for aircraft already equipped, or where the FAA has already paid or committed to upgrade. The program will run until October 11, 2019, or until the funds for all the remaining rebates are exhausted, whichever comes first.

Decide

Since the rebate program is aimed at a segment of the general aviation (GA) community, only certified Technical Standard Order (TSO) Version 2 equipment is eligible. The FAA maintains a list that is updated monthly of eligible equipment at bit.ly/equipADSB. However, avionics manufacturers will have the latest status of TSO certification for their ADS-B Version 2 systems. If you ever operate your aircraft using a call sign other than your N-number, be sure to select an ADS-B transmitter with a pilot-changeable call sign feature.

Discuss your plans with a certified installer to ensure it will work correctly in your airplane. Once you schedule your appointment to install the TSO-certified avionics, you are ready to reserve your rebate.

Reserve

When you are within 90 days of the scheduled ADS-B Out installation date, reserve your rebate online at bit.ly/reserveADSB. You will need to check all the boxes about eligibility to proceed to the rebate reservation form. You will then need to provide your aircraft tail number using its properly formed N-number as found in the FAA Civil Aircraft Registry. Do not enter spaces or dashes.

Next, you will need to review the tail number, airplane manufacture date, airplane model, aircraft type, name of owner, and address of owner. To be sure information is correct beforehand, check the FAA’s aircraft registry. Then, select your ADS-B link, select your transmitter from the list, and enter the scheduled install date — the selected date can only be in the future. Enter your email address, and check the “I’m not a robot” box.

Once these steps are completed, a rebate reser-vation code will be generated. Later, you will need the exact code including the “RR” and dashes (e.g., RR-1234-1234) for your rebate claim.

Install

Aircraft owners who have an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate, e.g., part 23, 25, 27, and 29, may have the ADS-B equipment installed by a repair station or an appropriately-licensed air-frame and powerplant (A&P) mechanic.

Fly and Validate

The ADS-B rebate program has allotted 60 days after the scheduled installation date to fly, validate, and claim the rebate. This allows you to resolve unforeseen issues with the installation or avionics. If the rebate is not claimed within 60 days of the initial scheduled installation date, the rebate reservation will be voided. If this happens, you may apply for a new rebate reservation code, but there is no guarantee that another rebate reservation will be available.

This step in the rebate process is what causes many rebates to go unclaimed. You do not need to make a special flight for the rebate. You can use one of your routine flights to claim your rebate, as long as it meets the criteria of the program.

The FAA provides an automated tool to assist aircraft owners, operators, and avionics shops in validating the performance of ADS-B Out equipment installed on aircraft. It’s called a Public ADS-B Performance Report (PAPR), and it will confirm if the ADS-B installed equipment is work-ing properly. In order to request a PAPR report, you will need to fly your airplane in the airspace defined in 14 CFR 91.225 for a minimum of 30 consecutive minutes, with at least 10 aggregate minutes of maneuvering (see sections 4.3.2.3-4.3.2.6 of AC-20-165B for more information). This validation flight can be completed any time you are flying in airspace where a transponder is required today. If you are unsure about your local airspace, go to www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/equipadsb/research/airspace#interactiveMap for more information. There is also a handy KMZ file for download from this site that can be uploaded to Google Earth.

Minimize flight time near or at the fringe of ADS-B coverage areas because it may negatively impact the metrics provided in your PAPR validation report.

After you have flown through ADS-B rule airspace, you need to request a PAPR. Go to bit.ly/validateADSB and enter the following information: date of your flight entered as the date recorded in Zulu (UTC+0) time at the start of the flight; your N-number; an email address to send your report to; the configuration of the ADS-B Out equipment and GPS source installed on your aircraft; and the equipment installer. A notes area is included if you do not find your specific equipment.

Successful PAPR processing depends on the accuracy of the information provided. All fields should be completed and verified prior to submitting your request.

Using the above information, the tool will search through its inventory of past aircraft operations for a flight meeting the selections. If a flight with matching identification can be located on the requested date, a PAPR and General Aviation Incentive Requirements Status (GAIRS) report will be emailed within 30 minutes. The GAIRS report will indicate either a “pass” or “fail” for the GA rebate program. Once the report indicates “pass,” it will include an incentive code. This incentive code will be required to claim the rebate. If you do not receive these reports, check your spam or junk email folders.

Claim

If you are still within 60 days of the installation date that’s recorded on your rebate reservation, you can go to bit.ly/claimADSB to claim your rebate. You will need your rebate reservation, email address used during reservation, and incentive code from the GAIRS to file the online claim form.

If you need help at any time, send an email to ADSBRebateHelp@faa.gov.

We know that some owners of GA aircraft may be particularly price sensitive and therefore may be postponing their installations. With more than 100,000 GA aircraft likely to require ADS-B Out, there is a near-term need to accelerate equipage in order to ensure that pilots, manufacturers, and retail facilities have adequate time and capacity to equip aircraft in a timely and efficient manner.

While $500 will only cover a portion of your total cost for ADS-B Out, a survey of aircraft owners found that getting costs below $2,000, which is an approxi-mate minimum cost to equip, would encourage many price-sensitive owners to equip now. The FAA chose $500 as an amount that would get the price to that more-attractive range, while maximizing the total number of rebates available. So if you want to see the money, then reserve your rebate now!

Paul Cianciolo is an associate editor and the social media lead for FAA Safety Briefing. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, and a rated aircrew member and volunteer public affairs officer with Civil Air Patrol.