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What does this mean for your flight?

Whether you fly a light sport, rotor wing, jet, single engine piston, or anything in between, you have a choice when it comes to your inflight weather. The 2020 ADS-B mandate does not require you to use ADS-B/FIS-B weather, you are free to choose SiriusXM, ADS-B/FIS-B, or both.

There are differences between ADS-B and SiriusXM Aviation Weather that may directly impact your flight.

Here we break down the differences between the two weather services at each stage of flight to help you decide which service is right for you.

TAKE OFF TO LANDING

SiriusXM Aviation Weather is a satellite-delivered service available at any altitude, during taxi and when parked on the ramp.

ADS-B/FIS-B is a ground-based weather service. Its availability varies based on your altitude and location in the U.S. and is only available on the ground in the immediate vicinity of certain airports.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

At most GA airports the ADS-B/FIS-B broadcast can’t be received until well above the traffic pattern. This could be compounded further if storms cells are developing nearby. For example, if you’re in a Cessna 172 going 90 knots, you could fly nearly seven minutes and 10 miles before you make a decision based on ADS-B weather.

Changing Terrain

SiriusXM Aviation Weather is a satellite-delivered service with no line-of-sight restrictions.

ADS-B/FIS-B is ground-based so it has line-of-sight restrictions.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

When flying with ADS-B in areas with changing terrain, there may be interruptions in critical weather information needed to make the best weather decisions possible. This is particularly noticeable near mountainous areas or valleys–and you won’t have any warning from the system when the data will be unavailable or when it will resume.

Lightning

SiriusXM has both Cloud-to-Cloud and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning updating every 2.5 minutes.

ADS-B/FIS-B only has Cloud-to-Ground Lightning, updating every 5 minutes.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Lightning is a signpost that an area of weather is likely to contain severe or extreme convective turbulence. In the initial phase of a developing thunderstorm, it is common for a cell to consist mainly of Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning. Armed with this information and SiriusXM’s twice-as-fast lightning refresh rate, you can take action sooner to minimize your exposure to an area with dangerous convective turbulence.

COMPOSITE RADAR, STORM TRACKS, ECHO TOPS

SiriusXM Aviation Weather has consistent coast-to-coast high-resolution Composite Radar (2km res) updating every 2.5 minutes. Plus, Storm Tracks and Echo Tops allow you to monitor the speed, direction, and tops of the most significant areas of weather.

ADS-B/FIS-B weather does not offer Storm Tracks or Echo Tops, and its Composite Radar availability depends on the altitude at which you are flying and whether you are viewing Regional Radar (2.5km res) updating every 5 minutes or CONUS (10km res) updating every 15 minutes.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

If you are using ADS-B, you may not have important radar information at lower altitudes and you will have to wait until you're at a higher altitude for an update.

SiriusXM has consistent resolution and faster updating radar from takeoff to landing across the country. Knowing the height as well as the speed and direction of thunderstorms provides you with guidance so you know where the most significant storms will be relative to your route, allowing you to strategically avoid dangerous weather at a safe distance. With ADS-B/FIS-B you are left to estimate the movement of significant cells.

Weather Data

Every SiriusXM Aviation Weather product, including METARs, TAFs, AIRMET/SIGMETs, and PIREPs, are available across the country from takeoff to landing.

ADS-B/FIS-B weather information is limited based on altitude and location.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

If you are flying with SiriusXM Aviation Weather you can receive important weather information whenever you want it. If you are flying with ADS-B you will need to wait until you’re at the right altitude and distance to request weather information like METARs for your destination or alternate airports.

Base Reflectivity Radar

SiriusXM Aviation Weather has consistent coast-to-coast high-resolution Base Reflectivity Radar updating every 5 minutes.

ADS-B/FIS-B does not offer base reflectivity radar.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

The Base Reflectivity Radar from the lowest tilt lets you know what precipitation is coming out of the bottom of the storm cell and is especially beneficial if you want to see what is impacting your destination airport. The lowest tilt more closely matches what you are seeing outside of the cockpit when flying under 10,000 ft.

Cost

SiriusXM plans start as low as $29.99 per month. You have the option to suspend service for up to 6 months, once per year, at no additional cost.

ADS-B/FIS-B is provided at no cost, but comes with many significant limitations.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLYING SEASON?

For as little as $180 for six months or less than the cost of two $100 hamburgers, you can fly from takeoff to landing with consistent, reliable weather. You can also add SiriusXM radio at a discount so you have entertainment all flight long.

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR AOPA MEMBERS
FROM SIRIUSXM!

SiriusXM or ADS-B

What does this mean for your flight?

TAKE OFF TO LANDING

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Changing Terrain

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Lightning

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

COMPOSITE RADAR, STORM TRACKS, ECHO TOPS

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Weather Data

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Base Reflectivity Radar

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Cost

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLYING SEASON?

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR AOPA MEMBERSFROM SIRIUSXM!

SiriusXM or ADS-B

What does this mean for your flight?

TAKE OFF TO LANDING

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Changing Terrain

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Lightning

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

COMPOSITE RADAR, STORM TRACKS, ECHO TOPS

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Weather Data

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Base Reflectivity Radar

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLIGHT?

Cost

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FLYING SEASON?

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR AOPA MEMBERS
FROM SIRIUSXM!