China Plans First Civil ADS-B Trials

China’s Air Traffic Management Bureau has selected Sensis to deploy automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) equipment at two airports in central China. The ground sites at Chengdu Shuangliu International and Jiuzhai Huanglong Airports will mark the country’s first formal trial of 1090 ADS-B technology for use by commercial aircraft. China eventually plans to roll out a nationwide network of ADS-B sites. Using the technology, appropriately equipped aircraft will broadcast identification and position to controllers and other aircraft, eliminating the need for most ground radar sites. Sensis has partnered with China’s Aviation Data Communication to test the surveillance technology and develop an implementation path for nationwide rollout.