When is ADS-B Out required for aircraft?

The requirement for ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) is primarily aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of air traffic management by providing real-time position data to both air traffic control and other aircraft. The correct answer indicates that ADS-B Out is required within the Mode C veil, which extends 12 nautical miles from the Gulf Coast, particularly in airspace where transponder use was previously mandated.

The Mode C veil typically encompasses busy airports and areas with higher levels of air traffic, thus making it essential for aircraft operating in this region to be equipped with ADS-B Out to ensure they are accurately represented on controllers’ displays and are visible to other nearby aircraft. This requirement helps in managing the complexities of air traffic in high-density areas and contributes to overall air safety.

ADS-B Out is not required within 10 miles of any airport; rather, there are specific geographical and altitude definitions under which it becomes necessary. Similarly, requiring it above 5000 feet AGL is too broad and does not account for the various controlled airspace layers, where ADS-B might still be necessary under different conditions. Lastly, in uncontrolled airspace, ADS-B Out is not universally mandated but is encouraged for better situational awareness, which further points to why the selection