Getting Started with ADAPT
A quick guide to using ADAPT
Welcome to ADAPT.
Aircraft operators using aircraft that do not meet Title 14 - Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 91.225 or § 91.227 Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Out, equipage or performance requirements, are permitted under certain circumstances to ask for an Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorization to deviate from these requirements.
The FAA developed an automation capability to manage aircraft operator requests for ADS-B deviation authorizations. This automation capability, ADS-B Deviation Authorization Preflight Tool (ADAPT), uses an existing FAA website portal, Service Availability Prediction Tool (SAPT), modified to provide the capability.
Per FAA Policy, operators planning flight into ADS-B Out rule airspace using aircraft not equipped with ADS-B Out may use ADAPT to request an authorized deviation provided these flights are for rare, non-routine, non-scheduled events.
Requesting an ADS-B deviation authorization via ADAPT is a multi-step process. Please follow Steps 1-4 below. You can also access our ADAPT Step-by-Step online instructions or view our ADAPT tutorial video.
Step 1: Access the ADAPT Website Submit your authorization request no more than 24 hours and no less than one hour before your intended departure time. See the ADAPT User Guide for more information on the time constraints for filing a request.
Step 2: Enter Flight Details using the Flight Information Entry Form This step checks for alternate surveillance availability based upon your proposed route of flight and aircraft avionics equipment configuration. Please note this step does not constitute filing a flight plan.
Step 3: Enter the Deviation Request and Additional Flight Details Provide additional details describing the nature of your deviation request. You must verify your information is correct and accurate by selecting the verification checkbox or the request cannot be submitted.
Step 4: Receive Request Status After submitting your request, you will receive an immediate automated response via the ADAPT website indicating the status of your request (Approved, Denied, Pending) followed by an official FAA email response to the request. When you receive an official email approval, you are authorized to conduct your flight.
Please note: An ADS-B deviation authorization granted using ADAPT does not equal, nor does it guarantee, an ATC clearance into airspace where ADS-B Out equipment is required.
ADAPT Help
If you have questions or need assistance using ADAPT, please contact adapthelp@faa.gov.
Non-Civil Operators: the FAA has established other methods for U.S. Federal, State, and Local government agencies to submit requests for ADS-B Out rule authorization. These agencies should not use ADAPT, but should contact FAA System Operations Security via email at 9-ATOR-HQ-IFOS@faa.gov to request ADS-B Out rule authorizations.
First Responder Organizations: The FAA has also established separate procedures for handling ADS-B ATC authorization requests for first responder agencies. First responders' agencies should not use ADAPT, but should contact the ADAPT Helpdesk via email at adapthelp@faa.gov.
User Feedback
SAPT/ADAPT users are encouraged to submit feedback about the operation of the system, using the feedback form.
Legal note: although forms used on the SAPT/ADAPT webpages are similar to forms used for VFR/IFR flight plan filing, SAPT/ADAPT web forms are for gathering operator information needed for prediction and application processing purposes only. Operator information submitted via SAPT/ADAPT will not generate nor should they be considered formal IFR/VFR flight plan submissions.
