ADS-L / ADS-B: Submit funding applications by 30 November 2026

antonello
18.09.2026

Anyone wishing to fit their aircraft with ADS-L or Mode S / ADS-B and apply for financial support via the Special Air Transport Fund should take action now. The deadline is 30 November 2026.

Electronic visibility can make a significant contribution to preventing mid-air collisions. As already demonstrated in our articles on electronic visibility and human factors and on preventing mid-air collisions, e-conspicuity complements the visual traffic scan: other aircraft can be detected earlier and with greater precision. This also enables strategic course changes to avoid areas with high traffic density. Looking out of the cockpit remains the most important safety measure for reacting to traffic across the entire field of view.

As part of FASST-CH, the FOCA is currently preparing a mandate for electronic visibility. Mode S with ADS-B Out at 1090 MHz and ADS-L in the SRD-860 band are the two open standards on which the future solution will be based. The FOCA’s website Technology Recommendation describes the options available for each aircraft category, both to meet the anticipated requirement (to be visible) and to be able to ‘see’ other road users. Which solution is appropriate depends on the aircraft category, existing avionics and operational profile.

30 November 2026: Do not miss the deadline

For voluntarily installed systems, financial support can be applied for via the Special Financing of Civil Aviation. The FOCA expressly states in this regard: Applications relating to equipment covered by the forthcoming mandate must be submitted by 30 November 2026 at the latest. This means now is the right time to discuss the planned equipment with the owner, club or avionics company and to obtain quotations.

Funding may be applied for example for the installation or retrofitting of an existing Mode S transponder to ADS-B Out, as well as for portable or fixed ADS-L units with external antennas.

How to apply for funding:

  1. Technology recommendation: Which solution does the FOCA recommend for your aircraft category?
  2. Existing equipment: Does your Mode S transponder possibly already support an ADS-B Out upgrade? Is an ADS-L upgrade via software or hardware available for your existing traffic alert system? Are external antennas already in place?
  3. Request a quote: For permanently installed solutions, contact your avionics or maintenance provider at an early stage.
  4. Prepare necessary documents: The FOCA provides the necessary application forms and information on the Special Financing of Civil Aviation website.
  5. Submit the complete application by 30 November 2026 at the latest.

 

Important: The Special Financing of Civil Aviation requires the application form to be submitted both electronically and in signed paper form. External services must be documented with quotations. Therefore, the application should be prepared in advance, instead of waiting until the last days of November.

Questions may be addressed to spezialfinanzierung@bazl.admin.ch.

Special Financing of Civil Aviation grants may be awarded in the form of non-repayable financial assistance which may cover the majority of the costs.

Should you start equipping your aircraft before the decision has been made?

Here, too, it is worth taking a look at the Special Financing of Civil Aviation conditions. In principle, costs can only be taken into account from the date of the grant decision. For certain standard measures, like for example the procurement of an ADS-L In/Out device, installation can, however, begin at the applicant’s own risk from the date the complete application is submitted. Important: Submit the application first, then order and install the device.

Plan now, rather than retrofitting later

Electronic visibility works best when as many airspace users as possible participate and the systems in use are interoperable with one another. ADS-L and ADS-B are designed to help connect the existing technical silos and alert pilots to potential traffic conflicts at an earlier stage.

Anyone planning to install or retrofit equipment should therefore not wait until a new regulation comes into force. FOCA’s recommendation: Select the appropriate technology now, apply for Special Financing of Civil Aviationfunding and mark 30 November 2026 in your calendar.

Further information:

FOCA Technology Recommendation

Special Air Transport Funding (SFLV)

Stay Safe – Recommendations on electronic visibility and human factors

Stay Safe – Preventing mid-air collisions

 

 


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