ADS-L in Switzerland: guide for pilots

ADS-L is one of the perceptibilité électronique technologies available to pilots, alongside FANET / FANET+, FLARM andADS-B. These are not synonyms: each addresses a different use, and a device can combine several of them. Compare all technologies.

ADS-L (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Light) allows an equipped aircraft to transmit its position by radio, so it can be detected by other aircraft equipped with a compatible receiver. See our complete ADS-L guide.

Swiss airspace is shared by many categories of aircraft, often flying at low altitude in mountainous areas. Electronic perceptibility aims to reduce blind spots between aircraft that do not always see each other easily with the naked eye.

Current status communicated by the authorities:

The orientation communicated targets several categories of light aircraft: paragliders, hang gliders, gliders, and potentially microlights and light aviation depending on the outcome of the regulatory process.

Yes, paragliding is among the categories targeted by the orientation currently communicated. See our guide ADS-L for paragliding.

No. ADS-L is an electronic perceptibility tool complementary to visual vigilance, not an autonomous anti-collision system. The ADS-L function alone does not detect aircraft that do not broadcast this protocol (although some multimode devices can also receive other protocols such as ADS-B), and does not make any decision in place of the pilot.

ADS-B is the standard used by commercial aviation and a large part of general aviation. ADS-L is a distinct protocol, optimized for low-cost, low-power equipment, designed for aircraft with little onboard electronics. Details in our comparison ADS-L vs ADS-B.

FLARM is a proprietary system widely used in gliders. ADS-L is a distinct, more recent technology. Details in our comparison ADS-L vs FLARM.

Broadcasting one's position makes an aircraft perceptible by other aircraft equipped with reception. This is the simplest function to implement and often the most economical.

Reception allows you to perceive equipped aircraft around you, generally displayed on a screen. This is a function complementary to broadcasting, not systematically included in all devices.

Each FlyVisible product page clearly displays the device's ADS-L broadcast and reception capabilities. See also our guide ADS-L compatibility.

A standard smartphone is generally not, on its own, an ADS-L device in the strict sense. See our guide smartphone and ADS-L.

No obligation requires immediate equipment. Equipping yourself early allows you to become familiar with the technology without urgency. Check our configurateur to identify equipment suited to your practice.

Yes. The Confederation financially supports the purchase of ADS-L compatible devices, under certain conditions. For paragliding and hang gliding, the application is submitted to the seller or manufacturer of the device, not directly to the FOCA. See our guide federal subsidy for an ADS-L device.