PilotAware Ltd welcomes the publication of the new ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2 technical specification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
This important update represents a significant step toward a modern, harmonised, and internationally recognised approach to electronic conspicuity for aircraft across Europe.
EASA’s continued development of ADS-L enhances aviation safety by improving visibility for manned aircraft, supporting safe access to U-space airspace, enabling drone BVLOS operations, and providing new ground-to-air rebroadcast capabilities. These improvements strengthen situational awareness for all classes of airspace users, and PilotAware fully supports this direction.
Throughout the evolution of the ADS-L specification, PilotAware has worked constructively with EASA and industry partners.
We are pleased to confirm that all UK and European PilotAware ground stations have now been upgraded to accommodate the EASA ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2 protocol and to include the existing PilotAware Radio Resource and System Management that supports our advanced MATRIX infrastructure services.
This network upgrade enables the entire European PilotAware ecosystem, including existing airborne devices for manned aircraft and UAVs, to move toward full interoperability with the new ADS-L standard across Europe, across borders, and across all airspace sectors.
All PilotAware users can remain confident:
There is no need to delay purchasing or upgrading PilotAware equipment; all current devices will continue to be supported and will move forward with the addition of the new European standard through software releases.
ADS-L provides a strong foundation: a common European digital language that allows aircraft and UAVs to make themselves electronically visible within Europe's airspace. PilotAware’s contribution lies in transforming that visibility into meaningful situational awareness for all.
By combining ADS-L with the existing PilotAware MATRIX, our network of ATOM stations and our SkyGRID and iGRID data-fusion technologies, we are able to greatly enhance the benefits of ADS-L and provide an airspace picture that is broader, deeper, and more connected.
This approach supports EASA’s vision while ensuring that pilots and operators continue to receive the most complete situational awareness that PilotAware provides. Now on an International Standard.
PilotAware will continue its collaboration with EASA and the wider industry through the ADS-L Coalition. We share a common aim: improving safety, awareness, and interoperability for all airspace users — manned, unmanned, commercial, recreational, and everything in between.
We look forward to supporting the adoption of ADS-L throughout Europe and enabling pilots, operators, and ground services to benefit from this forward-looking, harmonised standard.
PilotAware — proud to support the future of European Electronic Conspicuity.
For more information, see the official EASA ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2 publication:https://www.easa.europa.eu/ads-l