Decommissioning of OpSpec/MSpec/LOA A153 & A353 ADS-B Out Operations

Effective immediately with FAA Order N8900.491 and no later than June 30, 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration has decommissioned OpSpec/MSpec/LOA A153 & A353 for ADS-B Out Operations. The measure discards requirements for ADS-B Out operational approval and removes the administrative burden on operators needing to apply for and maintain the OpSpec/MSpec/LOA for ADS-B Out Operations.

Regulators at the FAA could find no State, worldwide, that continues to require an operator to carry a State of Registry operational approval. Furthermore, they found there to be no safety or operational benefit to issuing and maintaining the OpSpec/MSpec/LOAs A153 & A353. Airworthiness approval and certification for the installed ADS-B Out equipment will continue to be required and expected to meet the ICAO standards.

Operational approval, specific training, and procedures for ADS-B In operations will still be required. Nothing has changed for ADS-B In, as the United States along with other State regulating agencies will continue to require it.

Remember, after January 1, 2020, only aircraft with ADS-B Out systems that meet the equipment requirements specified in Section 91.227 will be authorized to operate in the airspace specified in Section 91.225 (the U.S. NAS) unless otherwise authorized by ATC, but now no operational approval will be required. ADS-B out guidance for installation and operations can be found in AC 90-114a chg 1. Many countries are now publishing mandates for ADS-B Out carriage in their airspace; equipment and airspace requirements do vary and it is important to pay attention to those differences.

What this means for us?

• Operators will no longer need to apply for or maintain OpSpec/MSpec/LOA A153 & A353 with the FAA for ADS-B Out Operations outside of the United States.
• Airworthiness approval and certification of ADS-B equipment will still be required.
• ADS-B In operations will still require operational approval from the aircraft's State of registry.
• Operators should pay attention to changes in countries' ADS-B Out equipment and airspace requirements during their preflight planning.
• It is recommended that operators carry a copy of FAA Order N8900.491 as verification for authorities.
• The FAA Order N8900.491 can be found here until the FSIM system 8900 has been updated to reflect the changes.
• Enjoy not having to maintain your OpSpec/MSpec/LOA for ADS-B Operations but understand how it functions.