RANGR-G Is Available Now For All Airports Seeking Practical NextGen Ground Ops Solution

The first ADS-B Out system approved by the FAA for monitoring airport surface vehicle movements has been introduced by FreeFlight Systems. Designed for easy installation in ground vehicles, the RANGR-G is based on the company's airborne RANGR ADS-B datalink radio, the first rule-compliant 978 MHz ADS-B Out system certified by the FAA.

The first RANGER-G units were implemented jointly by the FAA, ITT Exelis and the Massachusetts Port Authority for Boston-Logan Airport. In a Sept. 14 Advisory Circular (AC-150/5220-26) issued to airport operators and system suppliers, the FAA defined stringent technical requirements for ADS-B vehicle-tracking devices similar to those standards set for aircraft avionics. The document lists the FreeFlight Systems RANGR-G (FreeFlight Systems model FDL- 978TX) as the only system available to meet those requirements.

ADS-B ground vehicle tracking is possible today at 44 large airports that use Airport Surveillance Detection Equipment (ASDE-X). ASDE-X systems use data from multiple sources including ADS-B to track aircraft movements on the airport surface. With the approval of the new vehicle ADS-B systems, the system also can be used to track ground vehicles within in the aircraft movement areas. The system operates with such precision that it can discriminate between vehicles on taxiways or runways and those on adjacent access roads. This can enhance safety and increase runway availability during periods of low visibility. The ADS-B system costs far less and is much easier to install than radar-based systems. ADS-B also provides unique identification data for each vehicle similar to how aircraft are shown on air traffic control displays.

“Approval of the RANGR-G as part of the NextGen modernization of Air Traffic and Airport Surface operations is another important first for FreeFlight systems and for the nation’s airspace system” said Tim Taylor, President and CEO of FreeFlight Systems. “As we continue to introduce high-performance, affordable and practical equipment, our customers are able to realize the benefits that NextGen brings and that those benefits are available today.”

"The new RANGR-G offering from FreeFlight Systems enables true common situational awareness on the airfield for FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC), aircraft cockpit and vehicle operators," said Ted Carniol, principal for commercial services at ITT Exelis. "RANGER-G combined with Symphony MobileVue for iPads by ITT Exelis provides a real-time situational awareness display of the airfield to vehicles, which helps airports to know where their equipment is at all times, leading to improved resource and asset coordination."

FMI: www.freeflightsystems.com