Technology Recommendation

Disclaimer

In the context of FASST-CH, FOCA plans to incorporate in the course of 2027 an e-conspicuity mandate into the existing regulation. A one-year transitional period is planned thereafter.

The technology recommendation, while targeting the integration into the overall ecosystem, includes solutions meeting the requirements of the forthcoming mandate, as currently foreseen. These solutions can benefit from financial support under the Special Financing scheme (BV87b) as long as the mandate is not adopted. Aircraft owners and pilots who wish to benefit from this funding are encouraged to submit an application by November 30, 2026, at the latest.

For the specific case of paragliders, delta gliders, rigid wing hang gliders, electric hang gliders, see the relevant page.

Please be aware that the mandate remains subject to change until its adoption.

The goal of FASST-CH is to increase safety by making everyone able to see the entire surrounding traffic. This is achieved through a mandate to be e-conspicuous and a recommendation on how to be equipped to see the others (situational awareness or even better collision awareness). The aviation community is highly diverse, and users’ needs vary considerably. Consequently, suitable technologies also vary across the different user categories. The forthcoming mandate and the recommendation build on the thousands of devices that are already in use by the general aviation community.

Air-to-air interoperability will be achieved through migrating to a minimum set of open standards with software updates on existing equipment or with new equipment. Re‑broadcasting of data via a ground network will further support the interoperability of existing installations. The proposed open standards are ADS-B on 1090 MHz and ADS-L on the SRD 860 MHz frequency band. While the former is almost exclusively used in certified installations, the latter can be used in installed or portable devices.

Forthcoming mandate

To achieve electronic visibility, a mandate based on following two measures is currently being prepared:

  • Article 29 of the VRV-L is to be extended to cover gliders and balloons.
  • All manned aircraft operating under VFR in class G and E must be electronically visible, using a technology as prescribed by EASA for the implementation of SERA 6005(c).

What does the forthcoming mandate mean?

  • For gliders and balloons:
    Gliders and balloons will need to be equipped with at least a Mode S transponder. If this transponder already supports ADS-B Out, no further action is expected to be needed. If not, the transponder would need to either be upgraded to ADS-B Out, or an ADS-L device would need to be installed.
  • For powered aircraft:
    Motorized aircraft equipped with Mode S transponders without ADS-B Out will need to either upgrade their transponders to ADS-B Out or install an ADS-L device.
  • For paragliders and delta gliders:
    Paragliders and delta gliders will need to be equipped with an ADS-L device

Financial support for e‑conspicuity devices and for the Upgrading from Mode S to ADS‑B out is available via Special Financing.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found in the FAQ.

Category-specific recommendations