The FAA yesterday signed an agreement in Anchorage with a consortium of Alaskan aviation organizations to move ahead with the statewide implementation of ADS-B service. The result of negotiations over the past two years, the program would see progressive installation and support of agency-provided ground stations beyond those currently operating in southwestern and southeastern Alaska under the Capstone project, with their provision paced by user avionics equipage. A multi-year program is envisioned, with initial station coverage over the main traffic routes to support early use by 500 to 600 commercial operators. That number would gradually expand to accommodate more than 3,500 general aviation aircraft. The agreement will be presented on August 28 for approval by the FAA’s top-level Joint Resources Council, followed by its incorporation into the agency’s nationwide ADS-B program. The contract award for the nationwide program is scheduled to be announced by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey on August 30.