The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has unveiled a rebate programme to help civil aviation aircraft owners to equip their planes with a NextGen surveillance technology known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).

ADS-B includes a suite of technologies that uses satellite-based positioning for aircraft surveillance and improves the nation’s air traffic control system.

In 2010, FAA issued a final rule mandating that the aircraft flying in some controlled airspace be equipped with ADS-B by January 2020.

"We hope this initiative will encourage aircraft owners to get off the sidelines and take advantage of all the safety benefits NextGen has to offer."

The controlled airspace in general means the same airspace where transponders are currently required.

The FAA mandate exempted the aircraft that fly only in uncontrolled airspace where no transponders are mandatory, and aircraft without electrical systems, including balloons and gliders.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "We’re calling on all aircraft owners who plan to fly in busy airspace to equip with ADS-B Out before the deadline.

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"We hope this initiative will encourage aircraft owners to get off the sidelines and take advantage of all the safety benefits NextGen has to offer."

To be available in September, the $500 rebate will be offered to those aircraft owners, who install the new surveillance technology after the beginning of the rebate offerings.

Additionally, the aircraft owners of US-registered, fixed-wing single-engine piston aircraft with avionics that satisfy the FAA technical standard orders and meet the rule requirements could be eligible for the incentive.

FAA noted that it would not provide rebates for software upgrades for aircraft already equipped, new aircraft, or aircraft for which the agency already has paid or committed to upgrade.

To be available on a first-come, first-served basis, a total of 20,000 rebates will be distributed for one year or until all the rebates are claimed.

The FAA estimates as many as 160,000 aircraft need to be equipped by January 2020.