The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has called on the FAA to limit the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data for purposes beyond its original intention of enhancing air traffic safety and airspace efficiency. In a February 18 letter sent to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, AOPA president and CEO Darren Pleasance expressed the association’s growing concerns about the misuse of ADS-B data. 

AOPA had previously supported the FAA’s 2020 ADS-B mandate under the assurance that the technology would solely serve safety and efficiency goals. However, Pleasance highlighted several troubling developments, in which the data has been used to prevent legal water landings or to support “frivolous lawsuits” by the general public that have led to mounting frustration among AOPA members and the general aviation community, which, Pleasance pointed out, contributes $300 billion to the annual U.S. economy.

“I write to strongly urge the Federal Aviation Administration to put a halt to the increasing use of ADS-B for frivolous lawsuits, questionable enforcement actions, and the collection of airport landing fees…Pilots are now being forced to pay expensive legal fees to defend themselves against these questionable enforcement actions and frivolous lawsuits,” the letter said. “Moreover, a cottage industry of companies contracting with public-use airports are now using ADS-B data to collect airport fees from general aviation pilots. As you can understand, these actions carry potential safety and individual privacy concerns that must be addressed.”

Despite legislative progress in the form of last year’s FAA Reauthorization, which sought to limit ADS-B’s use for enforcement actions, AOPA continues to advocate for stronger protections. In the letter, the organization acknowledged the FAA’s previous efforts to address ADS-B privacy issues, such as the development of the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed program and the Privacy ICAO Address program. However, AOPA remains concerned that further actions are necessary to safeguard pilots’ privacy and prevent misuse of ADS-B data.

The letter was copied to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), and U.S. representatives Sam Graves (R-Missouri) and Rick Larsen (D-Washington).