On April 8, FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker visited the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly In and Expo as part of the agency’s ongoing partnership with the general aviation community to improve safety. There Whitaker announced the FAA’s Got Data? initiative to give the private sector better access the FAA’s aeronautical data.

Speaking with General Aviation (GA) manufacturers and pilots, Whitaker said that “our goal is to help industry be in a position to create innovative products and technologies that improve safety and efficiency.” The Got Data? initiative includes improved access to data such as airports, navigation aids, fixes, obstacles, holding, approaches, and Temporary Flight Restriction information.

Whitaker also discussed ADS-B and encouraged pilots to equip well ahead of the January 1, 2020 deadline. Whitaker, a pilot, told the crowd, “don’t wait until the last minute to equip. Prices on ADS-B equipment have fallen as low as $1500. The time to equip is now.”

The United States has the largest and most diverse GA community in the world. While the fatal accident rate is beginning to decline, too many lives are still being lost. Last year, 384 people died in 238 general aviation accidents. By working together, government and industry are making a difference to improve GA safety.

Visit www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/gotdata/ to learn more about the Got Data? Initiative.