A bill to require aircraft operating in Class B airspace in the national airspace system to install and operate ADS-B In and ADS-B Out equipment, and for other purposes.

Summary – Senate Bill S.1706

Purpose and intent
- S.1706 would require aircraft operating in Class B airspace within the national airspace system to install and operate ADS-B In and ADS-B Out equipment that meets FAA-specified performance requirements. The equipment must be installed, activated, and receiving whenever the aircraft is taxiing or in flight.
- The bill aims to remove any regulatory exemptions for aircraft, including military aircraft, from the ADS-B In/Out requirement in Class B airspace.
- It repeals a specific provision (Section 1046) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

Key provisions
- ADS-B requirement in Class B airspace
- Beginning on the date of enactment, no aircraft may operate in Class B airspace unless it has ADS-B In and ADS-B Out equipment that meets the Administrator’s performance requirements and is installed, activated, and receiving during taxiing or flight.
- No exemptions
- The Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator may not implement or enforce any regulation exempting aircraft (including military aircraft) from the ADS-B In/Out requirements.
- Repeal of NDAA 2019 provision
- Section 1046 of the 2019 NDAA (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is repealed.
- Definitions
- Administrator: Administrator of the FAA.
- ADS-B In: Onboard avionics that periodically receive ADS-B Out broadcasts with an aircraft’s state vector and other required information as described in 14 C.F.R. 91.277 (or successor).
- ADS-B Out: As defined in 14 C.F.R. 91.227 (or successor).
- Aircraft: Includes fixed-wing, rotorcraft, powered-lift, and other manned aircraft.

Affected parties and scope
- All aircraft operating in Class B airspace in the national airspace system.
- Includes military aircraft, per the prohibition on exemptions.
- Applies to both current and future airspace operations; defined aircraft types cover most manned aircraft.

Implementation and timeline
- Enforcement basis: Effective upon enactment; aircraft would need to comply starting on the date of enactment.
- FAA role (future): The Administrator is tasked with specifying the performance requirements for ADS-B In/Out, to be satisfied by installed equipment.
- Regulatory framework: The bill references existing ADS-B standards in 14 C.F.R. parts 91.277 and 91.227 (or successor regulations) for operational definitions.

Legislative actions and sponsorship
- Introduced in the Senate on May 8, 2025.
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Primary sponsor: Senator Jerry Moran.

Potential impact
- Enhanced situational awareness and traffic management in Class B airspace due to ubiquitous ADS-B In/Out.
- Substantial equipment and installation costs for affected aircraft, including potential retrofits for some military platforms.
- FAA regulatory process will determine specific performance standards and any operational nuances, with implications for compliance and enforcement.

Notes
- This summary reflects the introduced text. As the bill progresses, provisions, scope, and timelines could be amended.