HAI President Applauds New Technology

After a somewhat controversial and contentious test program in Alaska, ADS-B will soon be on the glass in the Gulf of Mexico.

That's the word from the Joint Resource Council of the FAA, which has approved investment and funding for implementing the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast system in the Gulf of Mexico. The decision was made last Wednesday... and was met with immediate approval by Helicopter Association International president Matt Zuccaro.

"The need for accurate weather, direct communications, and surveillance capabilities has never been greater to support the 650-plus helicopters flying offshore," said Zuccaro.

Zuccaro added he's been waiting for the FAA to authorize the system for several years.

HAI has worked to bring the next-generation traffic control system -- which transmits and receives a real-time signal giving an equipped aircraft's altitude, speed, direction, destination, size and type from airplane to airplane, and from airplane to traffic controllers -- to pilots of the approximately 650 Gulf Coast helicopters that operate from offshore oil platforms.

"I believe that due to the very nature of helicopter operations, which involve low altitude, off-airport, remote location, all-weather situations, our segment of the aviation community stands to reap the greatest rewards from the ADS-B technology, said Zuccaro (right).

"Accordingly, HAI will be exploring the potential for ADS-B benefits to other segments of our industry, such as helicopter emergency medical services, corporate, utility operations, and others."

In order to speed up the deployment of ADS-B in the area, the helicopter industry and platform operators will provide space on the appropriate offshore platforms for the installation of the ADS-B equipment, as well as helicopter transport of the required personnel to install and maintain the equipment.

It is estimated that the in-kind value of services to be provided by the helicopter industry is in excess of $100 million.

FMI: www.rotor.org, www.faa.gov