Action
Interim final rule.
Summary
This interim final rule modifies the requirement that all aircraft equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) must transmit at all times. This rulemaking provides an exception to ADS-B requirements, removing the transmission requirement for sensitive operations conducted by Federal, State and local government entities in matters of national defense, homeland security, intelligence and law enforcement. The changes provide relief to those Federal, State and local government agencies that operate aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out but need the ability to terminate the transmission signal when conducting sensitive national defense, homeland security, intelligence and law enforcement missions that could be compromised by transmitting real time identification and positional flight information over ADS-B. This rulemaking also allows the FAA to except certain aircraft from operating a transponder or transmitting ADS-B Out, when doing so would jeopardize Air Traffic Control (ATC) functions.