The FAA has published AC 20-165B, Airworthiness Approval of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out Systems, the guidance material for those seeking approval for installation of ADS-B Out systems. According to the Aircraft Electronics Association, “The revision to AC 20-165 contains a number of significant changes.” These include the elimination of “the criteria that ADS-B Out transmitters and position sources be automatically treated as a major alteration.”

The association pointed out that ADS-B Out upgrades “still require the initial approvals, but within specific limitation allows ADS-B Out installations to be treated as ‘normal' avionics. As such, the evaluation of major/minor is normal. Second, the AC highlights the follow-on installation criteria of a previously approved system. Third, the AC contains the criterion for reuse of flight test data for follow-on installations of approved systems.”