Lufthansa Technik receives approval for transponder modification for Airbus A320 Family

Lufthansa Technik AG has received a Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) for modifications on the Airbus A320 Family aircraft to fit
them with second-generation "Automatic Dependent Surveillance -
Broadcast" (ADS-B) transponders. Completion of this modern airspace
surveillance technology modification by 2020 has been prescribed by
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA). The aviation authorities require that, in
future, all aircraft can be traced worldwide using GPS-based aircraft
data.

Lufthansa Technik can now equip the first customer aircraft with the
new transponders, which fulfill the DO-260 B RTCA (Radio Technical
Commission for Aeronautics) standard. Compared to conventional
surface-based radar monitoring, the new technology will significantly
improve the localization of aircraft and therefore airspace safety.
In the course of modification, it may also be necessary to replace
the GPS signal source.

"We can now offer our customers the appropriate ADS-B modifications
with original manufacture components and regulatory approval," says
Thomas Rueckert, Vice President Base Maintenance Services at
Lufthansa Technik AG.

The STC for ADS-B on the Airbus A320 family will be followed by
certifications for other aircraft, including the Airbus A330/340, the
Boeing 747, 777 and MD11.

The significant global demand for ADS-B modifications is already
resulting in capacity problems at many overhaul facilities. Lufthansa
Technik is therefore offering options for the performance of this
modification, including mobile installation teams that can work
anywhere around the world. The modification can be carried out over
three independent night stops, which avoids long ground times and
high costs.