Preliminary Analysis of Potential ADS-B User Benefits for Hawaiian Helicopter Air Tour Operators

Abstract

ADS-B ground infrastructure is currently planned to be installed in Hawaii between 2010 and 2013 as part of the National Airspace System (NAS) wide implementation of ADS-B. Current plans call for ADS-B coverage to be focused on areas of existing radar coverage. However, a large majority of the commercial air tour routes are conducted in regions outside of existing radar coverage due to mountainous terrain and limited radar facilities. The NTSB recommendation would therefore require a change to the ADS-B implementation plans.