Major Step Forward in Aviation Safety at Florida Airports

Major Step Forward in Aviation Safety at Florida Airports

Florida – uAvionix, in partnership with Capital Sciences, has successfully completed the design, installation, acceptance testing, and training for a second group of six airports under the Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) by the FAA. The contract, awarded in September 2024, was finalized in a record time of just 90 days, despite facing challenges due to two hurricanes that struck the area.

“Together with the FAA teams on site at each of the six airports, our team in the field and in the back office did an amazing job running these installations in parallel across the State of Florida in record time,” stated Christian Ramsey, Chief Commercial Officer of uAvionix. Local air traffic controllers have reported overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the new systems, underscoring the importance of this project for enhancing day-to-day operational safety at airports.

Details on Airport Deployments

The uAvionix FlightLine systems were deployed at six major airports: Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Tampa International Airport (TPA), Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). For each of these locations, the installation involved up to eight dual-frequency ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) receivers, ensuring 100% redundant and overlapping coverage of the airport surface as well as the airspace extending up to five miles around each airport.

Additionally, each airport tower and TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) received up to four dedicated situation awareness displays running the uAvionix FlightLine solution. The rigorous Site Acceptance Test (SAT) process validated strict technical performance metrics, including coverage, latency, and update rate.

Enhancements to Ground Safety

Each airport also received uAvionix VTU-20 ADS-B vehicle transmitters, which enhance visibility for ground vehicles at the airport. This addition plays a crucial role in reducing the risks of runway incursions, improving overall safety at these busy locations. The primary goals of the Surface Awareness Initiative include:

• Enhanced Ground Safety: Improved visibility dramatically decreases the risks associated with runway incursions.
• Operational Efficiency: Air traffic controllers can manage surface traffic during peak operations more effectively.
• Scalable Technology: The system is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure and leverage future FAA initiatives.

Future Expansion Plans

The FAA has announced plans to extend similar installations to numerous towered airports across the United States in the coming years. Key FAA leaders, including Acting Administrator Polly Trottenberg and COO Tim Arel, have highlighted the program as a significant advancement in the FAA’s ongoing commitment to optimizing safety within the National Airspace System (NAS).

As part of these plans, the systems will also be available for use by Federal Contract Towers operating within Mode C airspace, with expectations for broader deployment throughout the NAS in the near future.

About uAvionix

uAvionix stands as a leading provider of ADS-B surveillance equipment designed for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft, as well as ground vehicles on a global scale. As a trusted partner of the FAA, uAvionix is at the forefront of implementing innovative safety solutions that play a crucial role in the modernization of the National Airspace System.

Author: HERE Tallahassee