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Frequently Asked Questions

General SAPT Questions

ADAPT Questions

General SAPT Questions

How do I get a copy of the WSDL?

Please visit the link in the main menu above and select ADS-B or RAIM then select "XML Service". From those pages you can request a copy of the WSDL. You can also request a copy of the WSDL and SDK here.

How do I get a copy of the User Guide?

Please visit the link in the main menu above and select ADS-B or RAIM then select "Getting Started" where you will find User Guide link in the page. You can also get a copy of the User Guide by clicking here.

Has the Interactive Map issue been resolved?

The interactive map stopped working when the Google discontinued the Google Earth Plugin. It has now been rebuilt using Cesium, which is an open-source JavaScript library for 3D globes and maps. Cesium is based on WebGL (Web Graphics Library), which is a JavaScript API for rendering interactive 3D and 2D graphics within any compatible web browser without the use of plug-ins. JavaScript will need to be enabled and a compatible web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer Edge or Internet Explorer 11 must be used. Some browsers render the map quicker than others, so you may want to try a few browsers to find one that suits your needs. You may also want to check that you have the latest graphics drivers for your device. Basic controls include play forward, play reverse, pause, speed control, zoom in, zoom out and a manual time slider.
Image of Cesium map

Why are there outages only along my route?

The map of a flight only displays outages along the route of flight. There are white boxes that appear along the route to show the area that was checked for outages; you can’t assume the region outside the boxes is outage-free. To see a different or wider region, you can either check the Outage Summaries in the ADS-B section of the homepage, or you can change the route on the Flight Information Entry Form and click through to see the new route in the interactive map.

I get an error that says my browser does not support WebGL, but it passes on a WebGL test site.

Even if you have a newer version, you may have to change settings in your browser to enable the newer WebGL functionality that Cesium needs. For example, in Chrome, some people need to change these flags to Enable from Disable and Default, respectively, by typing "chrome://flags" in your Chrome Address Bar and scrolling down to "WebGL Draft Extensions" and set it to Enabled.

Enabling this option allows web applications to access the WebGL Extensions that are still in draft status. #enable-webgl-draft-extensions

ADAPT Questions

1. Why would I need to use ADAPT?

If your aircraft does not meet ADS-B Out equipage or performance requirements, you may request an authorization to deviate from the rule to access ADS-B Out rule airspace per 14 CFR 91.225 with additional guidance in the FRN dated 04/01/2019, Docket No. FAA–2019–0239. Additional ADS-B Out airspace information may be obtained by selecting the airspace depiction below:
FAA Airspace Requirements

2. Who can use the ADS-B Deviation Authorization Preflight Tool (ADAPT)?

  • ADAPT is intended to be used primarily by:
    • Non-commercial general aviation pilots/operators using aircraft that are not equipped with ADS-B.
    • Pilots/operators using aircraft with inoperative or non-compliant ADS-B Out equipment may also use ADAPT to obtain an ATC authorization.
  • ADAPT is intended for rare, non-routine and non-scheduled, single events.
    • Example: A commercial operator requesting authorization to operate a non-ADS-B equipped aircraft into airspace where ADS-B is required to install or repair ADS-B equipment.
  • NOTE: An ATC authorization granted using ADAPT does not equal, nor does it guarantee, an ATC clearance into airspace where ADS-B Out equipment is required.
    • Example: After receiving an ADAPT authorization, a pilot wishing to fly in Class B airspace, using an aircraft without ADS-B equipment, pilot must still obtain an ATC clearance from the facility having jurisdiction over the Class B airspace.

3. Are there any special equipment requirements to consider prior to applying for an authorization?

  • Yes. Aircraft for which an ATC authorization request is being made must be equipped with an operational transponder, and operational altitude encoder (e. g., Mode C), or the request will be denied.

4. If my aircraft is ADS-B Out equipped, do I ever need to use ADAPT?

  • ADS-B Out equipped aircraft operators would only need to use ADAPT if the aircraft’s ADS-B Out equipment is inoperative and/or is not operating per CFR 91.227 performance requirements.
  • NOTE: In-flight failures will be handled by ATC, based on ATC objectives at the time of the failure; such as air traffic workload, weather, traffic management initiatives, backup surveillance availability.

5. How do I access the ADAPT website?

  • ADAPT functionality is embedded in the ADS-B Service Availability Prediction Tool (SAPT) website. Visit the SAPT website and click on the ADAPT tab in the top menu.

6. Is ADAPT the same thing as the ADS-B Service Availability Prediction Tool (SAPT)?

  • No. ADAPT is a functionality built into SAPT to automate the operator ATC authorization request process. SAPT is a surveillance prediction tool. ADAPT uses SAPT to predict surveillance coverage for a proposed flight.

7. Can I obtain an ADAPT authorization if SAPT is Out-of-Service?

  • No automated ATC authorizations will be issued while SAPT is OTS.
  • Operators of equipped aircraft relying on SAPT for ADS-B preflight prediction analysis should refer to AC90-114 for guidance.

8. How long is ADAPT transaction information retained?

  • ADAPT transaction information is retained for at least one year.

9. How far in advance of departure can an ADAPT request be submitted?

  • Operators must submit a request no more than 24 hours prior to the proposed time of departure (P-time) and no less than 1 hour prior to P-time.
  • NOTE: All P-time entries are assumed to be within the next 24 hours. ADAPT fills in the date automatically, and there is no way to enter a different date. Please check the Departure Time field at the top of the response to confirm the date.

10. I'm confused about using time zones with ADAPT.

  • Use UTC hours when formulating a P-time.
  • NOTE: The only time zone consideration in using ADAPT is that any requests marked "Pending" will only be reviewed between 6:00 am and 9:30 pm Eastern Time. (See #19)

11. How long is an authorization valid?

  • If departure is not made within two hours after the P-time, approval authorizations are canceled, and another request will need to be submitted. Cancellation time out information is contained in approval emails sent to the applicant.

12. After I have received an ADAPT authorization, can I depart earlier than my P-Time that was submitted with my request?

  • Following receipt of approval, pilots may exercise discretion to depart no more than 30 minutes prior to their approved P-time to meet air traffic automation processing requirements. However, if the proposed flight is to or from one of the 15 capacity-constrained airports, pilots are responsible to depart before, or arrive after, the hours of airport constraint (usually 6:00 AM to 10PM local), unless the approval authorized the operation during those hours. Pilots must also comply with any published noise abatement restrictions.

13. After I have received my ADAPT authorization, can I depart a few hours after my P-time that was submitted with my request?

  • Flight plans are purged from air traffic automation if not activated within 2 hours following their P-time. Similarly, an ADAPT approval is valid for the same period. If you are unable to depart within two hours after the P-time, a new request must be filed. Additionally, if a proposed flight is departing or arriving at one of the 15 capacity-constrained airports, pilots are responsible to 3 depart before, or arrive after, the hours of airport constraint (usually 6:00 AM to 10PM local), unless the approval authorized the operation during those hours. Pilots must also comply with any published noise abatement restrictions.

14. Can an applicant withdraw an ATC authorization request?

  • No. This capability is being considered as a future ADAPT system enhancement.

15. Can an applicant submit a request for the same aircraft more than once?

  • Yes. Each request will be considered individually.

16. Can multiple ATC authorization requests take place on the same day?

  • Yes. Each request will be considered individually.

17. Will ADAPT process batch predictions and ATC authorization requests?

  • No. There is no batch processing capability in ADAPT.

18. How does an applicant know when a request has been approved/denied?

  • The request status response will be displayed on the ADAPT website within a few seconds after the request is submitted. Status indicators will be either "Approved," "Denied," or "Pending." Official FAA approval or denial for the request will be emailed to the applicant along with additional transaction details. The email address entered by the applicant into ADAPT will be used.

19. What happens if the ADAPT response is "Pending"?

  • Requests that do not meet automatic approval or denial criteria are placed into "Pending" status. These requests are forwarded to an FAA air traffic control representative for review and will be reviewed on a workload permitting basis. These representatives are available between the hours of 6:00 am and 9:30 pm Eastern Time.
  • In this case, you will receive an immediate automated response via the ADAPT website indicating the status of your request is Pending, followed by an official FAA email response to the request. A second email will be sent when a Pending request has been resolved.
  • NOTE: Pending requests will automatically be denied if they haven't been manually processed at least 30 minutes prior to the P-time. In this case, a denial email will be sent to applicant.

20. Will applicant receive a reason why a request was denied?

  • Some denial reason examples will be listed in denial email sent to applicant. Additional denial criteria is in the SAPT/ADAPT User Guide.

21. What are reasons for denying an authorization request?

  • Some denial reason examples include:
    • Submitting a request less that one hour prior to proposed time of departure.
    • Proposed landing at or departure from a capacity constrained airport.
    • Absence of alternate surveillance along any portion of the proposed route of flight that will take place in ADS-B Out airspace.
    • Intent to use an aircraft without an operational transponder or without operational altitude encoding (e. g., Mode C).
    • Intent to use an aircraft on the ADS-B No Service Aircraft List (see #24).

22. How will U.S. Federal, State and Local government agencies request an ATC authorization?

  • Aircraft that are owned/operated by U.S. Federal, State, and Local government agencies and are conducting missions for national defense, homeland security, and law enforcement purposes, may have an ATC authorization from FAA System Operations Security to turn ADS-B Off. If so, those operators should not use ADAPT and should comply with that ATC authorization.
  • U.S. State or Local Law Enforcement Agencies ONLY with aircraft that are not yet equipped may use ADAPT or contact FAA System Operations Security with regard to potentially obtaining an ATC authorization via email at 9-ATOR-HQ-IFOS@faa.gov.

23. What is the ADS-B No Service Aircraft List (NSAL)?

  • NSAL is a list of aircraft equipped with avionics that pose a hazard to ATC automation systems ADS-B data processing (e. g., aircraft avionics transmit incorrect ADS-B data and have not been repaired).
  • NSAL is maintained (aircraft listing and removal) by Flight Standards personnel.
  • Operators desiring to have an aircraft removed from NSAL should contact Flight Standards using the following email address: adsbfocusteam@faa.gov.
  • ADAPT will accept ATC authorization requests made by operators using aircraft captured in NSAL.

24. Will SAPT/ADAPT work on mobile devices?

  • ADAPT has been tested and found functional with Internet Explorer and Chrome browsers. Though not validated, they should also work using other internet browser methods and on mobile devices.

25. Is there an ADAPT app?

  • No.

26. How should I relay receipt of my ADAPT authorization approval information to ATC? Verbally or place approval transaction information into IFR/VFR flight plans?

  • ADAPT authorization information should not be entered into flight plans.
  • ADAPT authorization information should not be verbally relayed to ATC unless ATC specifically requests the information.
  • However, you should maintain a copy of the Authorized approval transaction number and/or official email for your records.

27. Should U. S. and foreign operators using inoperative ADS-B or insufficient ADS-B performance equipment use ADAPT to receive an ATC authorization?

  • Yes, ADAPT may be used to process these types of requests.
  • Operators who have an existing process for obtaining an ATC authorization for an inoperative/malfunctioning transponder may use that same process for an inoperative/malfunctioning ADS-B.

28. What alternatives are there to ADAPT?

  • The best way to ensure access to ADS-B required airspace is to equip with ADS-B Out. Please visit www.faa.gov/go/equipADSB for more information.

29. Can ADAPT be used by international aircraft operators to request an authorization to operate in U.S. ADS-B Out rule airspace?

  • Yes, per 14 CFR 91.225 with additional guidance in the FRN dated 04/01/2019, Docket No. FAA– 2019–0239.

30. Can ADAPT be used with international destination/departure?

  • Yes; however, aircraft requesting an ADAPT authorization must be equipped with an operational transponder and operational altitude encoder (e.g., Mode C) or the request will be denied

31.When departing a U. S. airport for an international destination airport (e. g., JFK to CDG) will ADAPT accept a waypoint that is not located in U. S. sovereign airspace?

  • ADAPT only accepts and processes waypoints that are contained in the Coded Instrument Flight Procedures (CIFP) database, plus the destinations. There is no need to enter waypoints into ADAPT that are not in U. S. airspace.
  • Note: Operators will receive an error message when attempting to use a fix/waypoint not listed in CIFP. See example below using "TAGOG" (waypoint in Europe):
    screenshot of TAGOG error
    To resolve the error, remove the waypoint ("TAGOG") from the route of flight section of Flight Information Entry Form.

32. Are there any aircraft type restrictions when using ADAPT?

  • There are no aircraft type restrictions; however, aircraft requesting an ADAPT authorization must be equipped with an operational transponder and operational altitude encoder (e.g., Mode C) or the request will be denied.

33. Can I use ADAPT for glider and balloon operations?

  • Gliders and balloons not originally certificated with an electrical system or that have not been subsequently certified with such a system installed may conduct operations without ADS-B Out in certain airspace (see 14 CFR 91.225 (e)). In other ADS-B Out airspace, i.e., Class B and Class C, (see 14 CFR 91.225 (d)) gliders and balloons must be equipped or request an ATC authorized deviation using ADAPT.

34. Can I use ADAPT if I’m not the registered aircraft owner?

  • Yes.

35. Can flight schools use ADAPT long-term?

  • No. ADAPT is designed for short-term, non-routine, non-scheduled use.

36. How do I contact ATC to get permission to use an aircraft without a Mode C transponder if I cannot use ADAPT?

  • Follow existing procedures for non-Mode C transponder flights.

37. How do I decide if I should select insufficient performance or inoperative ADS-B options in the ADAPT request process?

  • Select inoperative only if your ADS-B equipment does not transmit.
  • Select insufficient performance only if you are equipped with compliant ADS-B Out as described in RTCA/DO-260B or RTCA/DO-282B, are required to use a preflight prediction tool, and are predicted to not meet the required ADS-B Out position performance integrity or accuracy requirements (see SAPT user manual).

38. Where can SAPT/ADAPT users go for more information?

39. Who do I contact if I have ADAPT questions?