Definition

The capability using transmission of information from which a position of an aircraft in distress can be determined at least once every minute and which is resilient to failures of the aircraft’s electrical power, navigation and communication systems. (source: ICAO)

Note: this capability is described under ‘Location of an Aeroplane in Distress’ in ICAO Annex 6 Part 1.

Description

The Autonomous Distress Tracking (ADT) function is used to identify the location of an aircraft in distress with the aim of establishing, to a reasonable extent, the location of an accident site within a 6 NM radius. It uses on board systems to broadcast aircraft position.