AOPA Calls on FAA to Address ADS-B Privacy and Enforcement Issues

Pilots Express Concern Over Expanded Use of ADS-B Data

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address growing concerns over the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data. AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance recently sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, asking the agency to ensure ADS-B remains focused on its original purpose—enhancing air traffic safety and airspace efficiency.

Pilots Push Back Against ADS-B Data Use

Since ADS-B became mandatory in 2020, pilots have voiced frustration over how their data is being used. AOPA states that aircraft owners invested over half a billion dollars in ADS-B equipage with the expectation that the technology would only improve flight safety. However, Pleasance’s letter highlights instances where ADS-B data has been used beyond its intended purpose:

• FAA enforcement actions against legal water landings.
• Lawsuits against pilots for nuisance or trespassing, despite their full compliance with FAA regulations.
• Third-party companies accessing ADS-B data to collect airport fees from pilots.

“Aircraft owners invested over half a billion dollars of their own money to comply with the ADS-B mandate, believing it would only be used to make flying safer and more efficient. Instead, they are increasingly being targeted with enforcement actions, legal harassment, and bills from third parties to collect airport fees—things that are far from the equipage mandate’s original purpose,” said Pleasance.

FAA and Congressional Efforts to Address Privacy

AOPA acknowledges past efforts to enhance ADS-B privacy, including the FAA’s Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program and the Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) program. Congress also took steps in the last FAA Reauthorization to limit ADS-B data use in enforcement actions.

Despite these measures, pilots continue to raise concerns about privacy and unintended data usage. Pleasance emphasized the need for further action, stating, “Unfortunately, given the continued concerns from pilots across the country regarding the use of ADS-B data for non-safety issues, there is more to do in this area, and I look forward to working with you, the FAA, and Congress, to address this important matter.”

ADS-B and Electronic Conspicuity in Drone Operations

ADS-B plays a key role in Electronic Conspicuity (EC), a broader technology framework that improves situational awareness for both manned and unmanned aircraft. EC technologies help airspace users detect and avoid other aircraft, reducing the risk of mid-air collisions.

For drones, EC is particularly important for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and integrating unmanned aircraft into shared airspace. Regulators, including the UK Civil Aviation Authority, are exploring EC as part of broader airspace modernization efforts. With increasing drone activity, ensuring that ADS-B remains a tool for safety without compromising privacy is a growing concern across the aviation industry.

As AOPA continues its advocacy, the debate over ADS-B data use highlights the balance between enhancing safety and protecting pilot privacy. The outcome of this discussion could influence future policies on data handling and surveillance in aviation

Want DRONELIFE news delivered to your inbox every weekday?  Sign up here.

Read more:

• Protecting the Future of Drones: Why the Industry Needs to Step Up on Safety DRONELIFE Exclusive Guest Post
• Accreditation for AOPA’s High School Aviation STEM Program: the Next Generation of Drone Pilots
• Pierce Aerospace Secures $10M Contract for Remote ID Technology