American Airlines leads industry with safety-enhancing ADS-B In installations

• American has more aircraft equipped with ADS-B In technology than any other airline in the world.
• The technology improves safety by painting an even more complete picture of airspace for pilots and enhances efficiency by more accurately managing aircraft separation during all phases of flight.
• Two trials conducted with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yielded successful results that could lay the groundwork for the future, modernized ATC system.

American Airlines is the industry leader in equipping its fleet with next-generation technology that enhances the safety and efficiency of its operation.

The airline's entire fleet of more than 300 Airbus A321 aircraft has ADS-B In equipment that provides pilots with an enhanced view of their surroundings. ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, allows aircraft to send and receive GPS-based position and other data, including altitude and speed. When aircraft broadcast this information, it is considered ADS-B Out. The ability for aircraft to receive this information from other surrounding aircraft is considered ADS-B In. The ability to receive this data provides pilots with a significantly enhanced view of air traffic around them. The data is also received by the FAA and other air navigation service providers worldwide for air traffic control purposes.

American already has more aircraft with ADS-B In installed than any other airline in the world, with nearly 150 new delivery A321neo aircraft on order that will also be equipped with this technology.

The airline selected ACSS to equip its A321 fleet with the SafeRoute+ gauge. The gauge interfaces with the aircraft's computers and displays the ADS-B data, allowing crews to better see their position relative to surrounding traffic and to more accurately manage and maintain the required separation between aircraft. This new technology provides pilots even better data and information than current generation safety technologies.

Trials successfully demonstrate airspace efficiencies

ADS-B In technology enabled two very successful two-year trials with the FAA, with participation from the Allied Pilots Association and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The first trial took place at the Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), an FAA facility that controls air traffic arriving and departing within about 40 miles of American's largest hub, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Using this ADS-B In technology, participating flights operated by American's A321 aircraft were able to safely operate in lower visibility conditions at a higher throughput, while also reducing the number of missed approaches and go arounds that might be typically performed in those conditions.

The second trial took place at the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), an enroute facility responsible for airspace across five states, including traffic arriving and departing from American's hub at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). This trial used the power of ADS-B In to enable American's A321 aircraft arriving at PHX be spaced at precise intervals, creating more efficient airspace that could have up to a 25% capacity increase at scale.

American looks forward to continuing its work with the FAA and NATCA, as well as the airline's unions and team members, to further enhance the safety and efficiency of its operation through innovative technology and procedures.