FAA streamlines ADS-B privacy program
The FAA recently made three updates to its ADS-B Privacy International Civil Aviation Organization Address, or PIA, program that strengthen privacy while streamlining the process for pilots holding PIAs who wish to opt out of real-time public ADS-B flight tracking. The updates include changes the general aviation industry and AOPA have sought for years.
Under the PIA program, which dates back to 2019, aircraft operators can request a temporary ICAO aircraft address that is not associated with the aircraft owner listed in the Civil Aviation Registry. The system allows tracking to continue while shielding the operator from potentially prying eyes. Participating aircraft must be registered in the United States, be equipped with 1090 MHz ADS-B, use a third-party call sign, and fly in U.S.-managed flight information regions.
Recent changes also make aircraft information that is held by the FAA, and associated with a PIA, exempt from requests under the Freedom of Information Act. The FAA said language in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 permits such withholding of “the registration number and other similar identifiable data or information” at the request of the aircraft owner or operator.
The third update involves renewal of PIAs and states that pilots and operators can request a new PIA at any time after a 20-day period from a previous PIA assignment. Pilots may use their PIA for as long as they wish or may periodically request a new one.
Updates reflecting the recent changes, with detailed instructions for CPDLC operations with a PIA, are available on the FAA’s ADS-B Privacy webpage.
