Portable EC see less traffic than you might think

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Additional TIS-B activation dates 1 JUL – 31 JUL 2025

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Portable EC see less traffic than you might think * Additional TIS-B activation dates 1 JUL – 31 JUL 2025 *

UPDATE FROM 27 JUNE 2025:

  • The trial has been extended and in addition to the initial activation for 12 May – 6 June we will be activating between 1 July – 31 July.

  • Some EC devices receiving on 978MHz cannot process FLARM and TIS-B concurrently, therefore the broadcast in July will also include FLARM in addition to Mode S.

  • For details – study this website and a briefing sheet. Activation status on specific dates is promulgated via NOTAM.

More than 50% of GA aircraft are only operating a Mode-S transponder

VFR pilots using Electronic Conspicuity (EC) devices to enhance "see and be seen" awareness should note that the detect capability of these tools serves only as secondary aids to visual scanning.

Traffic may not appear on your EC device due to:

  • Signal obscuration (e.g. terrain, range, altitude or cockpit placement).

  • Incompatibility (e.g. ADS-B IN devices cannot detect signals from low-cost EC devices on unlicensed frequencies or Mode-S transponders lacking position data).

To improve visibility:

  • Wider adoption of ADS-B OUT/IN, though it can be costly.

  • Use TIS-B (Traffic Information Service – Broadcast), a ground-based system that detects and retransmits aircraft positions on a protected frequency.

Our research activities are funded by
the UK CAA and aim to:

  • Investigate how TIS-B is received and displayed on typical onboard technology and if it may significantly improve the situational awareness of VFR pilots about other traffic.

  • Engage with the GA community to provide feedback on their opinion as well as experiences of the live TIS-B transmissions .

Please review the sections listed
in the website menu in order to:

  • Get a complete understanding of the current state of EC in the UK and reasoning for this research study. Alternatively you may view a briefing slide pack available as downloadable PDF.

  • Complete Questionnaire A to share your views on the technology in general and Questionnaire B to provide feedback on your experience of live transmissions.