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What is the purpose of Ctaf?
The acronym CTAF stands for Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, which is a frequency designated for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower.
Where do you need ADSB out?
The FAA requires ADS-B Out capability in the continental United States, in the ADS-B rule airspace designated by FAR 91.225:
- Class A, B, and C airspace;
- Class E airspace at or above 10,000 feet msl, excluding airspace at and below 2,500 feet agl;
- Within 30 nautical miles of a Class B primary airport (the Mode C veil);
Are there any errors in the GPS altitude?
The indicated altitude may include errors, such as the pressure ATC provides, but all aircraft in the area will presumably be using the same barometric pressure, and will have similar errors. GPS altitude, which some call an absolute altitude, is an altitude relative to a model, normally the WGS84 elipsoid, and has it’s own set of errors.
How is traffic separated based on indicated altitude?
ATC separates traffic based upon indicated altitude. The indicated altitude may include errors, such as the pressure ATC provides, but all aircraft in the area will presumably be using the same barometric pressure, and will have similar errors.
What do you call an absolute altitude on a GPS?
GPS altitude, which some call an absolute altitude, is an altitude relative to a model, normally the WGS84 elipsoid, and has it’s own set of errors. By convention, indicated altitude, based upon local pressure, is used for aircraft separation.
How is the altitude reported on a FWIW transponder?
FWIW Transponders generally report the altitude calibrated to a set 29.92 and then rectified as necessary on the receiving end. GPS altitude is triangulated off the system and (as far as I know) is never used for compulsory reporting as it does not provide proper separation altitude.