Join NATS' Project EVA ADS-B trials

Like to take part in demonstration flights to test ADS-B transponders? National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has launched Project EVA (Electronic Visibility via ADS-B) with the aim of improving the visibility of general aviation (GA) pilots to each other and to air traffic control.

NATS’ Research and Development team is leading the project, co-funded by the SESAR Joint Undertaking and working with Trig Avionics, f.u.n.k.e Avionics and AOPA. The plan is to develop innovative air traffic situational awareness devices and assess them in flight trials in the UK and across Europe.

The devices will enable general aviation aircraft not currently equipped with a transponder to not only transmit ADS-B position information, but also receive information about other airspace users around them. This will provide real-time traffic awareness and proximity warnings for the GA community, reducing the risk of collision.

“We would like to invite LAA, BMAA and BGA members to participate in these trials by providing crews and aircraft for these activities,” said NATS. “Participation in the flight demonstrations requires no special experience other than good airmanship and a conscientious approach to flight preparation.”

For powered aircraft pilots (trials are also underway with glider pilots), NATS said it requires at least two aircraft per demonstration session. “We would prefer two qualified pilots per aircraft where possible but one pilot with an observer with airmanship experience that is equivalent to a moderately experienced pilot would be sufficient.”

The demo flights:

• All aircraft would need to commence the demonstration flights from the same airfield. Participants plan their own flight profiles from the departure airfield to another airfield such that the flight paths cross regularly with safe vertical separation. The EVA coordinators will provide guidance for route selection.
• Pilots and observers have actions to perform during the flights, which will be briefed in detail prior to the flights.
• Participants land, swap roles, and return to their original airfield.
• Participants will be debriefed by the project coordinator(s) and will be required to complete post flight questionnaires.

Participants will use an ADS-B device such as this LPAT unit.

Participants will use one of the following conspicuity devices:

• LPAT, which is a portable Low Power ADS-B Transceiver
• Mode-S transponders with Extended Squitter capability and a GPS source
• PowerFLARM
• PilotAware

“The project team can only provide the LPAT prototypes and one PowerFLARM unit, so we would be grateful to participants who can provide their own equipment,” said NATS. “The Project EVA team are interested to hear from anyone who is genuinely interested in demonstrating the benefit that electronic conspicuity provides to visual acquisition.”

More info: nats.aero/projecteva/

The forms to complete to join the trials can be found here: http://fasvig.org/invitation-to-participate-in-project-eva