AOPA Backs New Bill to Bring ADS-B Awareness Tools to Contract Towers

AOPA is backing a new bipartisan bill that would help modernize safety at federal contract towers by bringing ADS-B-based situational awareness tools to airports that currently operate without radar or similar surveillance systems. The proposal, called the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, was introduced in late February and aims to close a long-standing gap at smaller towered airports across the country.

According to AOPA, more than 90 contract towers still lack radar or other surveillance technology. That means controllers at those facilities often rely heavily on visual scanning and pilot radio calls to build the traffic picture around the airport. The new legislation would require the FAA to install a more affordable ADS-B-based solution designed to improve local traffic awareness without the higher cost of traditional radar systems.

At the center of the bill is the Airborne Position Reference Tool, or APRT. This system uses ADS-B data from aircraft to present controllers with a real-time view of nearby traffic, giving them a much clearer picture of what is happening in the pattern and surrounding airspace. Supporters say the technology can significantly improve safety and situational awareness, especially at busier non-radar tower environments where timing, spacing, and visibility can quickly become complicated.

AOPA praised the measure as an important step for general aviation. In remarks tied to the bill's introduction, the organization said contract towers play a vital role in the national airspace system and that equipping them with these tools would give controllers better awareness while improving safety for pilots.

For pilots, this is one of those behind-the-scenes aviation stories that may not grab attention like a new aircraft reveal or a major airline order, but it could have a real impact where it counts most: day-to-day operations at community airports. If the bill moves forward, it could help bring a modern layer of traffic visibility to dozens of towers that have been working without it for years.

For the general aviation world, that makes this one worth watching.

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via: https://skyblueradio.com/aopa-backs-bill-ads-b-contract-towers/