If a device receives a protocol, does it necessarily also transmit it?

No. Transmitting (Out) and receiving (In) are two distinct functions, not always both present on the same device.

Do you have to choose a single technology?

Generally no. Modern devices can combine several technologies to improve their interoperability — see our detailed comparison.

Is a FANET device visible to an aircraft?

Not directly in the general case: FANET is a network specific to free flight. Visibility to powered aviation depends on the additional protocols (ADS-L, FLARM, ADS-B) that the device also supports.

Electronic perceptibility: how aircraft see each other in flight

Electronic perceptibility encompasses all the technologies that allow an aircraft to transmit and/or receive position information by radio, to reduce blind spots between pilots who do not always see each other with the naked eye.

Why do several systems exist?

Each technology arose from a different need and community: commercial and general aviation (ADS-B, Mode S), the gliding world (FLARM), free flight (FANET, FANET+), and more recently low-cost light aircraft (ADS-L). Today they coexist rather than replace one another: the right choice depends on who you want to see, and by whom you want to be seen.

Main technologies

ADS-L

ADS-L is a lightweight electronic perceptibility standard, designed for low-cost, low-power devices.

Out : depends on device · In : depends on device

Learn more

FANET

FANET is a communication network developed for free flight, enabling the exchange of position and small data between equipped pilots.

Out : yes · In : yes

Learn more

FLARM

FLARM is a proximity perceptibility and alert system historically very present among gliders.

Out : depends on device · In : depends on device

Learn more

ADS-B

ADS-B is the surveillance and perceptibility standard used by commercial aviation and a large part of general aviation.

Out : depends on device · In : depends on device

Learn more

What about Mode S?

The Mode S is a transponder used notably in powered aviation. It doesn't carry the same editorial weight as the four technologies above for a free flight pilot, but it is part of the ecosystem: see our comparison to place it in context.

Who can see me?

Select a device from our catalog to see what it transmits, what it receives, and by whom it can be detected.

Your device

You can be directly seen by:

other FANET devices, FLARM In devices

You can directly detect:

other FANET devices, FLARM Out transmitters

Connectivity & visibility

ADS-L

ADS-L Out (transmit)No

ADS-L In (receive)Planned

The manufacturer confirms (23.08.2026) that a beta version of the firmware for this model's FANET/FLARM chip already supports ADS-L; full activation is planned "when it becomes necessary and the specifications are set" — no date provided.

FANET

FANET Out (transmit)Yes

FANET In (receive)Yes

FANET+No

FLARM

FLARM Out (transmit)Yes

FLARM In (receive)Yes

ADS-B & Mode S

ADS-B Out (transmit)No

ADS-B In (receive)No

Mode S detectionNo

FANET and FLARM are integrated in receive AND transmit on this model (internal antenna): confirmed in writing by the manufacturer AIR³ on 23.08.2026 — "current AIR³ units have Fanet and Flarm in both receive and transmit (it's not just transmit for Flarm)". The manufacturer also confirms the absence of ADS-B ("No ADS-B"). Specific FANET+ compatibility is not confirmed by the manufacturer — not extrapolated from the generic FANET confirmation.

Compatibility verified on 23 August 2026.

Frequently asked questions

No. These are three distinct technologies, with different uses and ecosystems. A device may combine several of them, but they are not interchangeable.

Compare all technologies Glossary Is my device compatible?