The integration of all aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS) while improving aviation situational awareness in all phases of flight is a critical step toward safer and more efficient airspace operations. As the number of drones and other emerging aviation technologies increases, ensuring that all airspace users have a complete operational picture becomes paramount. A multi-layered approach leveraging Remote ID, ADS-B, and airport surface surveillance systems can help achieve this goal.
One of the most effective ways to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, is through the implementation of Remote ID technology. Remote ID should operate on an RF frequency that can be easily received by dedicated receivers, including those on manned aircraft, air traffic control facilities, and ground-based monitoring stations. This would enable real-time tracking of drones operating within controlled or sensitive airspace, ensuring that manned aircraft can detect and avoid potential conflicts. Remote ID compliance should be required for all drones operating beyond line-of-sight (BVLOS) or in controlled airspace to ensure accountability and coordination with other airspace users.
A key element of situational awareness for manned aircraft is the universal adoption of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast). Currently, there are exceptions for aircraft without electrical systems, ultralights, and balloons. While these exceptions exist for practical reasons, the industry must consider pushing more ADS-B usage for all other aircraft, including those currently exempt. Owners should seriously consider upgrading their aircraft components or install portable ADS-B transponders for the duration of their flight. (Currently, the FAA does not approve portable ADS-B transponders, despite a need for it in this space) While this may create an economic burden, the safety benefits outweigh the costs, as ADS-B provides critical real-time position data that enhances midair collision avoidance and overall flight coordination. Preliminary discussion within the aviation community regarding the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision unofficially indicates that ADS-B could be a factor to that accident despite how early this investigation is.
Airport surface movements are another area where situational awareness can be improved. To prevent runway incursions and unauthorized vehicle movements within the airport perimeter, all ground vehicles, except personal vehicles used by pilots accessing their hangars, should be required to broadcast an ADS-B or equivalent signal. These signals would be integrated into Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X), or other airport ground surveillance systems, allowing controllers and pilots to maintain awareness of potential obstructions on taxiways, aprons, and runways. This measure would be particularly beneficial at high-traffic airports where visibility is often limited, improving both safety and operational efficiency.
Once these various data streams—ADS-B from manned aircraft, Remote ID from drones, and ADS-B-like signals from airport vehicles—are integrated, they should be processed and stored in a low-latency system capable of broadcasting information over TIS-B (Traffic Information Service – Broadcast) or other in-flight datalink systems. TIS-B, which already provides valuable traffic information to equipped aircraft, should be expanded to include more robust real-time data from these additional sources.
To maximize coverage and effectiveness, TIS-B infrastructure should be expanded beyond major commercial airports to include popular general aviation airports, metropolitan areas, and remote regions where air traffic coordination is more challenging. Implementing this expansion would significantly enhance the situational awareness of pilots operating in less-monitored areas, reducing the risk of midair conflicts and enabling more efficient flight planning and decision-making.
However, to avoid information overload, intelligent data filtering must be implemented. When manned aircraft are flying above 1,000 feet AGL, ground vehicles and low-level drones should be filtered out from their TIS-B display to reduce clutter. An exception to this rule should apply when a drone is flying above 1,000 feet AGL; in this case, its Remote ID signal should be visible to all nearby aircraft regardless of altitude. This ensures that manned aircraft operators remain aware of potential conflicts and can take appropriate avoidance measures.
In conclusion, integrating all aircraft into the NAS requires a comprehensive approach that leverages existing and emerging technologies to enhance situational awareness. Expanding Remote ID for drones, stronger encouragement ADS-B compliance and use for manned aircraft, requiring airport ground vehicles to broadcast location data, expanding TIS-B coverage, and implementing intelligent filtering mechanisms will collectively create a safer and more efficient airspace. As technology continues to advance, regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and airspace users must collaborate to ensure seamless and effective integration, paving the way for the future of aviation. Future research should be conducted on this topic including more technical, design, and other operational focuses around this.