Story ID: 
Canada ADS-B Expansion Prompts Update Notice
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: On May 24, ADS-B is scheduled to include Canada’s Class B domestic airspace
Word Count: 275
With the impending expansion of Canada’s ADS-B to Class B airspace, air traffic control provider Nav Canada has issued an update notice to remind pilots of their options and responsibilities. On May 24, ADS-B is scheduled to include Canada’s Class B domestic airspace. Class A airspace has been under the mandate since August 2023.
According to the notice, because there are still operators that are having issues equipping aircraft with the proper avionics and need additional time to comply, Nav Canada will continue “offering accommodations” for aircraft unable to transmit ADS-B. Blanket accommodations have been made available in some circumstances to air operators with regularly scheduled flights, while individual ADS-B accommodation requests can be submitted directly to Nav Canada.
“Given the oxygen requirements in un-pressurized aircraft, and the benefits of higher cruising altitudes for pressurized aircraft, there are a limited number of air operators in Canada that operate fleets in Class B airspace that don’t also climb into Class A airspace,” said the notice. “Nav Canada has begun reaching out to some of the affected air operators to determine if accommodations may be required.”
The notice reminds operators that, regardless of the class of airspace, it is important that aircraft operators be aware of the flight planning nomenclature requirements so that confirmation of ADS-B capability is appropriately ingested into flight data processing systems and shown on surveillance displays used by air traffic services.
Nav Canada also clarified that implementation of the ADS-B mandate in Class C, D, or E airspace will occur no sooner than 2028, “pending further assessment and engagement with stakeholders.”