ADS-B: Rebates Remain Available

Why is rebate participation languishing? The program had some early teething pains, but many problem areas have improved. For example, some aircraft owners initially were discouraged by the rebate program’s timeframe, which allows a maximum of only 90 days from reservation to scheduled installation—and many shops were reporting lead times of four to six months, or longer. Lead times may be the same or even a little longer now, but plenty of rebates remain available, so consider reserving one as your shop date gets closer. Also remember that nothing really happens on the rebate reservation’s installation date; it simply starts a second, 60-day window to complete the install and successfully fly the equipment—you really get a total of 150 days.

The rebate program ends September 19. Barring a much busier second half of the program, you should be able to reserve a rebate on September 18 and still have 150 days to install and fly your hardware.

That test flight is still a bit of a rub. Rebate rules require flying for at least 30 minutes in FAR 91.225 rule airspace—that’s airspace where ADS-B Out will be required come 2020. “Since the target audience is people who generally fly in the designated airspace, they won’t find it a hardship to perform the required validation flights,” the FAA says in its online rebate FAQs. (In Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, flying above 10,000 feet msl and within FAA ADS-B ground station coverage meets the rebate requirement.) AOPA has tried, so far without success, to eliminate that requirement. If a report indicates less than 30 minutes in the rule airspace, contact the FAA before flying again.

The test flight also requires at least 10 aggregate minutes of maneuvering flight, and references flight maneuvers described in Advisory Circular 20-165B. However, you do not have to complete that complex set of maneuvers—it’s intended for design approval of a type certificate or supplemental type certificate. To validate your ADS-B performance, fly two left and two right three-sixties—vary the airspeed or bank angle, if you’d like—and combined with your climb, descent, and other maneuvering, you should easily have 10 minutes.

Failure of an ADS-B Performance Monitor parameter can be a problem. Air/ground determination remains a frequent culprit. If any parameter fails 100 percent of the time, the problem most likely is in the hardware’s setup or configuration. A failure rate of 1 to 2 percent is a nuisance failure, however, and slight modifications to the flight profile might help you get the clean report you need to qualify for the rebate.

If you’re going to equip with ADS-B Out in advance of the mandate, why not do it now and pocket the cash, effectively lowering your cost of compliance?For a short-duration air-on-ground failure, try these steps. Move the aircraft clear of any hangars or other obstructions before starting, so it has a clear view of the GPS satellite constellation. Wait at least two minutes after powering up the avionics before moving the aircraft, to assure satellite acquisition. Taxi slowly to the runway; take off, climb, and perform normal maneuvers; fly 30 minutes in FAR 91.225 rule airspace. After a normal pattern and landing, come to a complete stop on the runway, then taxi slowly to the ramp or your hangar and shut down. (For more detail, see “ADS-B: Passing the Test,” February 2017 AOPA Pilot).

Request your performance report through the link on the rebate program page, to ensure that you also receive your GA Incentive Rebate Status (GAIRS) code—required to claim your rebate.

Once aircraft owners complete their installations and validate their ADS-B Out performance, rebate checks seem to be delivered promptly. Most recipients report receiving their checks within two weeks of the validation step; one AOPA staff member completed the process and had his check in hand less than a week later.

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