ADS-B Out is not required at low-altitude Class E airspace
Most countries that already use ADS-B technology utilize the 1090 MHz frequency band for transmission of signals. More recently, the FAA has announced plans of separating ADS-B signal transmission to 978 MHz and 1090 MHz, with aircraft flying at low altitudes (below 18,000 feet) using the 978-MHz link. This is in a bid to avoid the congestion of the 1090 MHz frequency band.
One of the most glaring flaws of FAA’s ADS-B requirement...is that it’s not even required in the type of airspace that most drone pilots fly in. Specifically, ADS-B Out is only required at above 10,000 feet MSL when flying in
Class E airspace.
Since drones are limited to flying at 400 feet AGL, practically any type of aircraft that poses a threat of a mid-air collision with them in Class E airspace is not required to broadcast ADS-B Out signals. This somehow defeats the purpose of having an ADS-B receiver.
For instance, a helicopter flying at 500 feet AGL in Class E airspace is not required by the FAA to have an ADS-B Out service. However, the fact that it’s flying at low altitudes and the naturally erratic flight patterns of helicopters means that drone pilots should be very wary of them. Without transmitting ADS-B signals, drone pilots are left to rely on their eyes and ears again, despite having this newfangled ADS-B receiver.
What is ADS-B and How Is It Useful to Drone Pilots? published May 27, 2020 [The above are segments of the article.]
I wouldnt bet a dime on accuracy of internet publication to say the most of the above article extract but a few questions of mine are about to be answered. Ive inquired with DJI Technical Support; which frequency and whether ADS-B OUT is on board my
MA2. Before DJI responds, Ive additional research on the transmitter side of the question (IN/OUT), looks like Meta4 should be paying out ? ADS-B OUT transponders are larger than a
MA2 battery and require substantial power.
Drones most often fly in Class G and sometime below Class E airspace where FFA authorization is not required.
I believe the
MA2 was released in April 2020. The article was published the next month.