What are the Mode S (ELS) mandates?
In the airspace of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, where the carriage of SSR transponders is required, the timeframes for Mode S ELS compliance by civil registered aircraft are as follows: For IFR flights as General Air traffic (GAT): – New production aircraft with effect from 31 March 2004, but some dispensations have been permitted. – Completion of aircraft retrofits by 31 March 2007. (Aircraft subject to Enhanced Surveillance (EHS) requirements are able to combine ELS/EHS retrofits). For VFR flights: – New production aircraft with effect from 31 March 2005, but there is now a general relaxation until 31 March 2008. – Completion of aircraft retrofits by 31 March 2008, subject to individual State agreements.
