The decade from 2010 to 2019 saw some remarkably ambitious initiatives in all realms of aviation. While some, like the creation of the Gulfstream G650 ultra long-range jet, were spectacular successes, others, like the saga of the Solar Impulse global giants, were less so. Still, they reminded us that great accomplishments come only after overcoming great obstacles, which makes the successes all the sweeter.
7. ADS-B
The decade weâre finishing out was prelude for ADS-B, a new, mandated electronic computerized airborne âradarâ technology. The introduction by the FAA of the ADS-B mandate early in the decade made clear the requirement for almost all aircraft in the United States to install the gear by January 1, 2020. The process has taken a decade to work through, and it has not been easy. Despite pleas from the agency for all owners to equip as soon as possible and even louder pleas from aircraft electronics installers to really install as early possible, aircraft owners, being human, put it off until the end. In part that was because ADS-B isnât cheap, and many owners were hoping the FAA would delay the mandate, which they have repeatedly said they would not and today show no sign of considering.
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