To answer this question, let's first understand what are ADS-B OUT and ADS-B IN.
Then we come back to this question, do all aircraft have ADS-B?
To address this question effectively, let's categorize "aircraft" into three distinct types:
1.Air carrier aircrafts
As ADS-B mandates become more widespread globally, the majority of commercial aircraft have been equipped with ADS-B OUT functionality to comply with regulatory requirements. Some older aircrafts may not be equipped with ADS-B OUT functionality due to factors such as technological limitations, retrofitting costs, or the lack of regulatory mandates in certain regions or for certain aircraft types. The adoption of ADS-B IN functionality remains less common.
Before ADS-B became the standard equipment for air carrier aircraft, older aircrafts typically were not delivered with ADS-B. Retrofitting ADS-B equipment onto air carrier aircraft after delivery can be a costly and complex process compared to installing it as standard equipment during manufacturing. There are several significant costs and challenges associated with retrofitting:
(1)Equipment Fees.
(2)Aircraft grounding losses:
Retrofitting ADS-B equipment requires temporarily grounding the aircraft for installation and testing. This can result in significant operational disruptions and revenue losses for airlines due to downtime and reduced fleet availability.
(3)Regulatory approval and manual revisions:
Retrofitting ADS-B equipment typically requires regulatory approval from aviation authorities and aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing or Airbus. This process involves extensive documentation, testing, and certification to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements. Additionally, the aircraft's manuals and operating procedures may need to be revised to incorporate the new equipment and procedures, which adds further time and cost to the retrofitting process.
2.General aviation aircrafts
The adoption of ADS-B technology among GA aircraft varies depending on the regulatory requirements, flight area, altitude, and individual preferences of aircraft owners and operators. Some GA aircrafts have ADS-B OUT functions and some have ADS-B IN functions. In regions where ADS-B equipment is not mandated or required by regulations, some aircraft owners and operators may still want to equip their aircrafts with ADS-B functionality for enhanced situational awareness and safety. In such cases, portable ADS-B transmitters offer a convenient and flexible solution.
3.UAV/drones
In some regions and under certain circumstances, UAVs that operate in controlled airspace or fly enroute may be required to be equipped with ADS-B OUT functionality. The portable ADS-B transmitters may also be used on these UAVs.
Some UAV or drones have ADS-B IN functions. This can be particularly valuable for UAV/drone operators who need to maintain situational awareness and avoid potential conflicts with manned aircraft during flight operations. In this case, an ADS-B receiver for drones can be installed on UAV/drones to provide ADS-B IN functionality. This kind of receiver is lightweight and compact, making it suitable for integration with the UAV’s or drone's flight control system. Some standard ADS-B receiver modules or drone ADS-B receiver modules can also be utilized to enable ADS-B IN functionality on UAVs or drones, provided that users have the necessary capability and expertise.
Some UAV or drones may require both ADS-B OUT and ADS-B IN. This dual functionality can be achieved through various configurations, including the installation of separate ADS-B transmitter and receiver units or the use of a combined ADS-B transceiver module.