The FAA has re-launched a $500 rebate for equipping fixed-wing single engine piston aircraft with ADS-B Out technology. The agency has made $4.9 million available for the program that runs through October 11, 2019.

As of January 1, 2020, aircraft flying in airspace where a transponder is necessary today are required to be equipped with ADS-B Out technology. The FAA has repeatedly said it will not move this deadline.

“The ADS-B mandate is not going away. We are about 15 months from the Jan. 1, 2020 deadline and now is the time for aircraft owners to equip,” said FAA acting administrator Dan Elwell.

While many ag aircraft do not require transponders and will still be able to fly after January 2020 without ADS-B, NAAA encourages ag aviators to consider equipping their aircraft with ADS-B as a means of making yourself aware to other aircraft equipped with ADS-B In whether they be other manned aircraft or UAV operators. Recently NAAA received word from a major global UAV manufacturer of their real interest in equipping their UAV fleet with ADS-B In technology.

There are five steps for claiming your $500 rebate:

1. Visit the FAA’s website and select the equipment you want to purchase and schedule an instillation date within the next 90 days
2. Reserve your rebate and get your Rebate Reservation Code
3. Have your equipment installed
4. Fly to validate the equipment’s performance; receive your Incentive Code
5. Claim your $500 rebate using your Rebate Reservation and Incentive Codes

It is imperative you schedule your installation as quickly as possible, since you must provide a scheduled installation date when reserving your rebate that is in the next 90 days. Many maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities are experiencing a backlog of aircraft as the 2020 deadline approaches.

The previous rebate program ran from September 2016 to September 2017, but as much as one third of the available rebate money went unclaimed. The relaunched rebate program is available only to those who have not yet equipped their aircraft and does not apply to ADS-B software updates.