ADS-B For Airport Vehicles

Even before the Air Canada CRJ 900 and a fire truck collided at New York’s LaGuardia Airport killing two pilots this past March, the FAA has been committed to equipping airport vehicles with ADS-B transmitters. For starters, the agency is investing $16.5 million to equip its tech ops and other vehicles with ADS-B hardware, primarily uAvionix VTU-20 (20 watts) UAT units. Designed for an easy installation on nearly anything that drives on the airport surface, the VTU-20 shares tech that’s also built into the company’s budget-friendly skyBeacon and tailBeacon ADS-B Out systems for small GA airplanes. AvBrief’s Larry Anglisano talked with Cyriel Kronenburg at uAvionix to learn about the interface.

Larry Anglisano
Larry Anglisano
Larry Anglisano is editor of Smart Aviator and Instrument Aviator. He is an active land, sea, and glider pilot with over 25 years experience as an avionics specialist.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Latest
Related

9 COMMENTS

Subscribe to this comment thread
Notify of
guest
9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
PatrickW
PatrickW
16 days ago

I want ADSB-Out installed in ALL cars everywhere. There was a hot blonde at Walmart the other day, and I’d like to be able to track her whereabouts at any time, as well as get a text alert any time her car moves…

Jay
Jay
Reply to  PatrickW
16 days ago

Funny and well said.

John Kliewer
John Kliewer
Reply to  PatrickW
16 days ago

Who’s promoting tracking private vehicles with ADSB on Walmart parking lots? Yours is an irrelevant if not sophomoric example in opposition to what looks to be implementation of a genuine safety measure. Step out of your bland day VFR 172 at 70 mph on final mindset into a corporate jet or airliner at 140 knots on final at night in weather and rethink your proposition.

PatrickW
PatrickW
Reply to  John Kliewer
16 days ago

Who’s in opposition of the implementation of any *genuine* safety measures? Yours is an example of an attitude that’s typical of someone whose every need – including privacy and safety – is provided for by others. Step out of your employer’s flashy jet and into the position of someone coming home to some thug with a crowbar (who knew you were going to be out, thanks to ADSB) and rethink YOUR position. 

Aaron
Aaron
Reply to  PatrickW
16 days ago

Creepy

Jay
Jay
Reply to  Aaron
16 days ago

Yes, and that is exactly what your government is allowing private corporations to do to the population. Patrick illustrated it well.

Jay
Jay
16 days ago

“Fire truck, (STOP).” The tower knew exactly where that fire truck was.
Let’s be honest about this. J. Rockefeller was far more concerned about tracking the movement and privacy of the people with ADS-B than about safety. The corporations controlling government regulations are trying to destroy your 4th amendment privacy rights by even making it illegal for you to work on your own car because they want to collect information on you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4G7BwFSMU

rando
rando
16 days ago

I hope airport authorities will consider it too. I’ve experienced two incidents at nontowered fields, maintenance vehicles crossing the runway while I was on short final, not communicating on the radio.

Jay
Jay
16 days ago

Let’s concentrate on the equipment that is truly important rather than trying to track everybody all the time and spy on them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/business/air-france-airbus-af447-guilty-verdict.html