FAA Advocates Expanded Use of ADS-B Vehicle Transmitters for Enhanced Airport Surface Safety

uAvionix VTU-20 ADS-B Vehicle Transmitter and FlightLine Solution Essential to FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI)

Leesburg, VA 29 May, 2025 — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued CertAlert 25-01 emphasizing the critical role of Vehicle Movement Area Transmitters (VMATs) in enhancing airport surface safety and mitigating runway incursions. VMAT technology, leveraging Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B), provides air traffic controllers and aircraft precise, real-time visibility of ground vehicle movements, significantly reducing risks on airport surfaces.

ADS-B creates a cooperative airspace environment through electronic conspicuity, allowing vehicles and aircraft to actively broadcast their positions. VMAT-equipped vehicles are not only visible to ATC but also to pilots and ground vehicle operators utilizing affordable, portable ADS-B In devices such as the SkyEcho 2 and the EasyCockpit EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) app. This shared situational awareness dramatically enhances safety by helping to prevent accidents like the recent collision at Galeão Airport, where an aircraft struck a maintenance vehicle during takeoff. In 2024 alone, 18% of runway incursions were attributed to vehicle intrusions, underscoring the urgent need for widespread adoption of VMAT technology.

In alignment with the FAA’s ongoing efforts under its February 2023 Safety Call to Action initiative, VMAT deployment is now further supported through expanded eligibility outlined in FAA Program Guidance Letter (PGL No. 24-01). Specifically, PGL 24-01 authorizes funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for acquisition, installation, and commissioning of VMAT equipment at airports equipped with ASDE-X, ASSC, or FAA-approved Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) systems. Funding covers up to 200 VMATs per airport, exclusively using the 978 MHz/UAT link, and includes installation costs, commissioning services, and necessary Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

uAvionix, an industry leader in ADS-B solutions, offers the VTU-20 Vehicle Transmitter, a compact, cost-effective ADS-B transmitter designed explicitly for ground vehicles. The VTU-20 seamlessly provides accurate vehicle location and identification data directly to air traffic control systems, substantially enhancing operational awareness. VMATs, including uAvionix’s VTU-20, have been deployed to over 60 airports across the National Airspace System (NAS), underscoring their critical role in nationwide airport safety enhancement.

“The VTU-20 has already proven its effectiveness across numerous airports,” says Cyriel Kronenburg, VP UAS & Aviation Networks at uAvionix. “Our extensive deployments across the NAS clearly demonstrate our commitment and capability to quickly enhance airport safety through proven ADS-B technology.”

Complementing the VTU-20, uAvionix’s FlightLine provides airports with an integrated situational awareness platform. FlightLine combines data from VTU-20 equipped vehicles and aircraft, enabling airport operators and controllers to effectively manage ground movements, further reducing operational risks.

A VTU-20 mounted on a test vehicle displaying real time location on FlightLine

FAA’s Advisory Circular (AC 150/5220-26) provides detailed guidance on ground vehicle ADS-B Out equipment, including standards and technical specifications to ensure compliance and interoperability.

Airport operators are urged to utilize available FAA funding to adopt VMAT technology and enhance airport safety promptly. For guidance on implementing the VTU-20 transmitter and integrating FlightLine in the African region, contact SSASS Holdings info@ssass.co.za

About uAvionix

uAvionix is a global leader in avionics and airspace surveillance solutions, delivering innovative ADS-B products and integrated surveillance technologies designed to enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

About SSASS Holdings

SSASS Holdings is the official reseller partner of uAvionix Corporation for the African region, specializing in the distribution and support of ADS-B solutions for both uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and general aviation. Committed to advancing airspace safety and situational awareness, SSASS Holdings provides cutting-edge avionics technology tailored to the unique needs of African operators and airspace regulators.

Email: info@ssass.co.za

Website: https://www.ssass.co.za