iFly GPS Forum

That's correct. They are both Class B airports. Mode C does not designate the airspace. It's where a mode c transponder is required. Just like where ADS-B will be required come 2020. Not sure what will happen to transponders after then. Do you or anybody else know?

(My 2 cents) Transponders will be around for a while...many of us who are not planning on adsb right now will still need them.

ATC will still track them the way they always did with the radars we will keep around for many, many years.

There will be no reduction in force for the 40 to 45,000 who serve in the FAA even after adsb - in fact, more may be hired during the transition, which will last for decades.

There are places out west where adsb is rather rare and you can fly for hours without seeing traffic within 2000 feet of your altitude. Still, the transponder will help pilots with VFR flight following and provide separation services where requested for VFR aircraft.

For IFR, most planes will have to adopt adsb out sooner or later. 

So far, the entire commercial, military and general aviation fleet is FAR BEHIND on compliance...I think folks are exercising some "wishful thinking" but even I am not that optimistic. It is here, so live with it or sweep up around it. If you base at an airport inside an adsb veil, you will have to comply or move it. For many folks, that is impractical so they will sell off their planes - what a shame. (I know people in this category)

As we all know, there is STILL a lot of "rebate" money on the table from the FAA for adsb compliance - at least until 1 Oct 17...even after the bribe, folks are still not going for it droves? Why is this?

My overall analysis: Not a bad idea, but a sub-optimal roll-out and implementation strategy.

Mike at N94

I am quite confident there will be plenty of inexpensive ADS-B OUT units available.  This is the same wringing of hands that happened with mode C transponders.  If I owned an airplane with an electrical system, I would find the money for ADS-B out.  I think most will.

Tim, I am banking on your opinion here....and have to wait it out until that happens. The GA community is desperately in need of a reduction in price and installation. The sad part is, we HAVE the low-cost solutions in NON-TSO'd devices right now - they are just not legal in certified aircraft at this time. This is a great paradox and travesty.

I can speak for many (of my peers) who have not complied yet.  Ground truth - it is a money issue.  The device has some value - no denying it. We'd all get it if we had an extra $5-10K right now...it needs to be somewhere in the $2K range to be "affordable" to many of us. Sure, we can park our planes for a year and save up...not the point.

For my buddies, some are getting out of aviation and selling off their low-end planes, which are leaving the area. Not specifically because of this, but this is a factor. 

This is another case of a policy designed to "help" having completely unintended outcomes and consequences.

Mike at N94