iFly GPS Forum

For immediate release.

Days after the FAA announced a $10 million rebate program to encourage pilots to buy expensive FAA-Approved ADS-B Out transmitters to see air traffic near them, Mike Palmer - an Airline Transport Pilot and a beta tester for the Stratux Project - thinks he has a better solution. A solution that costs so little that rebates aren't necessary to keep the public safe from midair collisions.

So, in the interest of safety, Palmer has filed a Freedom of Information Act Request with the FAA. He is requesting that the Agency release the public record known as Traffic Information Services (TIS-B) by periodically broadcasting traffic Information at specific intervals. This is different from the way the FAA currently releases traffic Information.

Currently, the FAA only releases Traffic Information to aircraft with ADS-B Out transmitters. But due to the expense of purchasing and installing ADS-B Out, many aircraft - including Air Carriers - don't have this equipment. If the FAA granted Palmer's request, then any pilot with an inexpensive ADS-B receiver - like the Stratux DIY receiver, which can be put together for $100 in parts from Amazon - could receive air traffic information in the cockpit.

Palmer concedes that an FOIA Request asking the FAA to release its public TIS-B Information is an unusual tack. But he thinks it might make an interesting court challenge if denied, especially since it involves public safety. Besides, there's already a precedent for it. The FAA already makes weather information available to all pilots without requiring them to have ADS-B Out. TIS-B should be available in the same way. It would only require a software change to the ADS-B System, which would cost a lot less than the $10 Million that the FAA wants to spend now.

The FAA has 20 business days to respond to the request. Palmer is hoping that an Aircraft Owner's group will take up an expedited appeal in court if his Request is denied.

The FOIA Request can be read here: http://postimg.org/gallery/2mh72e7oc/a874705f/

Mike Palmer can be reached at mikepalmer_az at yahoo.com

I thought the reason you need out ADSb is because the Band width cant handle transmiting everything to all areas.

As for myself I applaud you for NOT playing Their game is about time that We the People have an input into the SYSTEM instead of having to swallow everything they (FAA) dish out, this is, for me an eye opener as I am not "savvy" enough to understand the PROCESS, but I am tired of having to "BEND TO THE RULES" and keep "Forking it out"

Thank Mike for your action on our behalf

Ciao