Florida Prohibits ADS-B Data Use for Airport Fees Effective July 1
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted a landmark legislation that forbids airports from utilizing aircraft tracking data to levy landing fees. This marks a significant triumph for general aviation pilots and flight schools across the Sunshine State.
The new law, signed on April 23, 2026, prevents airports from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to compute or collect fees from owners and operators of light general aviation aircraft weighing under 12,499 pounds operating under Part 91 regulations. The legislation comes into effect on July 1, 2026.
ADS-B technology, which broadcasts details about an aircraft’s location, altitude, and ground speed, has been mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration since 2020 as a crucial safety tool. However, some airports had started exploiting this data—transmitted for safety reasons—to automatically track and bill aircraft for landing fees, touch-and-go operations, and even for entering airport airspace.
“This funding will protect pilot privacy and ensure this safety-enhancing tool is only used for its intended purpose,” said AOPA Southern Regional Manager Stacey Heaton. Florida becomes the second state to outlaw the practice, following Montana’s similar law in 2025. The move is anticipated to lower costs for flight training operations and recreational pilots throughout the state.
Source: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/aviation-law/desantis-signs-florida-ads-b-fee-bill/