2023-08-10 National

NAV CANADA, the air navigation service provider for Canada, has provided ground-based automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) surveillance service in portions of Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) at flight level (FL) 290 and above since 2008. The availability of space-based ADS-B since 2019 has enabled air traffic service (ATS) surveillance throughout the entirety of CDA.

In February of 2022, Canada announced an automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) out performance requirements mandate for applicable CDA. The mandate put forward a phased approach to expand the delivery of safety and efficiency benefits made possible by the availability of space-based ADS-B surveillance, with the first phase planned for implementation beginning in early 2023. 

Since that announcement, NAV CANADA and Transport Canada have worked closely to evaluate stakeholder feedback and, due to supply-chain limitations experienced by some customers in the context of the global pandemic, a review of the effective dates was carried out and the implementation timeline is being updated.

Equipage Requirements

To demonstrate compliance with the ADS-B out mandate, aircraft will be required to:

• Be equipped with an appropriate transponder with ADS-B Out capabilities and performance with the applicable standard of Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-260B, “Minimum Operational Performance Standards,” or newer.
• Have antenna capability for broadcast toward space-based ADS-B receivers emitting 1090 MHz extended squitter. This requirement can be met either through antenna diversity (the use of a top and bottom antenna) or with a single antenna that is capable of transmitting both towards the ground and up towards satellites.

Area of Applicability

The ADS-B out mandate will be enabled through airspace classification designation and amendment to transponder airspace requirements, as described in the Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH), TP 1820E.

Implementation is planned to occur over multiple phases:

• Class A airspace commencing 10 August 2023.
• Class B airspace commencing 16 May 2024.
• Class C, D and E airspace commencing no earlier than 2028.

In advance of the effective dates of the mandate, NAV CANADA will continue to expand the areas and altitudes where ADS-B surveillance services are available, so that aircraft operators who have equipped early will be able to take greater advantage of these safety and efficiency benefits.

For additional information see Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) 26/2023.

This change will take effect 10 August 2023 and 16 May 2024 at 0901Z. The appropriate aeronautical publications will be amended.