In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to add restrictions to the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data with the Commonwealth.

In 2020, the FAA required aircraft operating in most controlled airspace to use ADS-B to improve airspace safety and efficiency. Aircraft owners collectively invested over $500 million due to this mandate, based on FAA assurances that ADS-B would be used exclusively for safety-related functions. However, airports, third-party providers, and some government entities have been using public ADS-B data to track landings and departures, charge fees to aviation pilots, and support frivolous lawsuit or enforcement actions. This is a misuse of what was supposed to be safety technology, and undermines the trust of aviators, creates unwelcome financial burdens, and discourages pilots from adopting and using ADS-B altogether.

Many fair-weather pilots will turn off their ADS-B prior to entering an airport vicinity to avoid being tracked and billed.  This will create an extremely dangerous situation in airport environments.

To that end, my legislation would prohibit any aircraft, or any public or private entity from using information broadcast or collected through ADS-B systems to calculate, generate, or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators flying within Pennsylvania. Under this legislation, a violation of this restriction would be considered a breach of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, giving the Office of Attorney General the authority to enforce this restriction.

I hope you will consider co-sponsoring this important legislation to protect aviators in Pennsylvania.