I would imagine that all new, or perhaps many new safety features can be seen as a gimmick when they first come out. Too few or too many unneeded “manned aircraft nearby” warnings are a negative for sure. I adjust my warning threshold on the app depending on the airspace that I am flying in and this helps a lot.
But like the OP stated, this helped them in that case for sure. A warning from the app and not just our own senses is an addition that will only get better and better I think.
And BTW, ADSB OUT is required as of the start of 2020 in the cases below regardless of the aircraft type. And yes, there are of course waivers but in general:
“The FAA requires ADS-B Out capability in the continental United States, in the ADS-B rule airspace designated by FAR 91.225:
- Class A, B, and C airspace;
- Class E airspace at or above 10,000 feet msl, excluding airspace at and below 2,500 feet agl;
- Within 30 nautical miles of a Class B primary airport (the Mode C veil);
- Above the ceiling and within the lateral boundaries of Class B or Class C airspace up to 10,000 feet;
- Class E airspace over the Gulf of Mexico, at and above 3,000 feet msl, within 12 nm of the U.S. coast.”
But yes, looking at the above, it is very possible that a plane is near you without ADSB OUT In smaller airports or even controlled airports but stay at lower altitudes.
Cheers,
Fly safely.
On a slightly unrelated note. ADSB is a great improvement to my daily life as a comercial pilot. We have ADSB receivers in most of our aircraft, and I carry a handheld receiver as well. ALL of our aircraft have ADSB OUT. I have had dozens of cases where other aircraft have been avoided earlier because of ADSB vs use of just a Transponder receiver.
And I also have had TWO near misses with a-hole drone operators. Both of them were in the So-Cal airspace. Both of them were in the 2,000 AGL range. Both of them within eyesight....so pretty damned close.
Fly safely everyone
