The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is urging the FAA to block the use of ADS-B tracking technology by third parties to assess fees based on aircraft movements—a practice the trade group says “raises many concerns, including violation of privacy, and violation of federal grant obligations by public airports.”
In a September 12 letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, AOPA president and CEO Mark Baker said the agency should prevent third-party use of ADS-B data for purposes other than optimizing ATC safety and efficiency. Baker alleged “that the practice of using automated processes to impose additional fees on pilots undermines the vital flight training industry and will further discourage pilots from equipping with ADS-B or cause pilots to cut back on flying.”
More recently, Congress expressly prohibited the FAA from using ADS-B data to investigate the actions of airmen in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, Baker noted, though third parties are finding other uses for the data. “For example, an increasing number of airports, including many that are grant-obligated, are using or plan to use ADS-B data to identify aircraft so that airports can charge pilots landing fees.” AOPA recently reported on fees proposed by certain Florida airports that it said could “devastate” one of the most important flight training regions in the country if they are implemented.