FASST-CH in the Cockpit – Federal Support
As part of the «FASST-CH» program of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the Ordinance on Traffic Rules (VRV-L) is being amended, among other things. To be eligible for federal support for necessary investments in cockpit equipment, a response must be submitted by November 30, 2026, at the latest.
Author: Chrigel Markoff, Photo by Felix Deutsch
The project has been running for several years now. FASST-CH Program by the federal government. The goal is to ensure that, by the end of 2028, all traffic in Swiss airspace will be electronically visible. To this end, two measures are to be implemented:
1. Article 29 of the VRV-L is to be extended to cover gliders and balloons. Aircraft that do not yet have a transponder must be equipped with one in the future.
2. In the future, all aircraft operating under VFR must be equipped with technology that makes them electronically visible, based on technologies prescribed by EASA for the implementation of SERA 6005(c).
What does this mean, specifically, for aircraft operating under VFR?
a) For gliders and balloons:
Gliders and balloons must now be equipped with at least one Mode S transponder. If this transponder already supports ADS-B Out, no further action is required. If not, the transponder must either be upgraded to ADS-B Out, or an ADS-L device must be installed, unless one is already present.
b) For powered aircraft:
Motorized aircraft whose Mode S transponders are not compatible with ADS-B Out must either upgrade their transponders to ADS-B Out or install an ADS-L device, if they do not already have one.
The costs may be partially funded by the federal government:
Through the Special Air Transport Funding Program (colloquially known as «BV87 support»), the FOCA provides substantial financial support for various technologies that can be used to meet the required obligation. This applies in particular to the retrofitting of an existing Mode S transponder with an ADS-B Out function, the installation of a new Mode S transponder with an ADS-B Out function, or the installation of ADS-L equipment.
However, for an application for financial support to be approved, the measure must be voluntary and may not relate to equipment that will become subject to a legal requirement once it is published. As things stand, the requirement will be published by mid-2027, which means that financial support for the installation of equipment that will later become mandatory will only be granted, provided that the grant application is submitted by November 30, 2026. Since applications can only be submitted once a year, the next deadline is in November 2027, after the planned implementation of the requirement, which is too late to receive support.
However, applications may also be submitted for installations planned for a later date. There is therefore no reason not to submit an application in November 2026, even if the installation date is not yet known. It should also be noted that Mode-S transponders without ADS-B Out functionality are not eligible for financial support.
For applications for financial support for additional cockpit equipment, the FOCA provides a simplified and partially pre-filled form. This must be submitted to the FOCA by November 30, 2026, along with a quote, cost breakdown, or similar documentation. Even though a simplified procedure applies to the submission of these applications, it is recommended that you begin preparing the documents as early as possible to ensure timely submission. Further information is available at Specialized Financing for Air Travel can be found on the FOCA website.
Forms DE
Budget Projections: Final Figures
Forms FR
Budget Projections: Final Figures
IT Forms
Budget Projections: Final Figures
FAQ (currently being expanded):
What ADS-L devices are available?
We will publish a list of available devices in due course.
Can I wait until next year to buy and install a device?
Yes, but the application for co-financing must be submitted to the FOCA by November 30, 2026, in any case.
Can existing devices be upgraded, and is this upgrade also subsidized?
Yes. Mode S transponders can be upgraded to ADS-B or ADS-L. Similarly, FLARM devices, for example, can also be upgraded to ADS-L. The special financing program supports the installation of all equipment and technologies required for retrofitting and upgrading to ensure mutual electronic visibility of Swiss aircraft. If no retrofittable devices are installed, new devices with the required functions must be installed.
Does my glider also need a transponder if it's used exclusively for traffic pattern flights and similar operations?
No. The new version of Article 29 of the VRV-L requires a transponder only at altitudes of 7,000 ft AMSL and above. However, we do not expect there to be many aircraft that will operate exclusively below this altitude.
Are there any exceptions for historic gliders?
Yes, the FOCA still needs to define the exceptions for historic gliders.
Is there a reason why only «permanently installed» ADS-L devices are eligible for financial support?
There is the stand-alone PowerFlarm Flex, which can be installed very easily and inexpensively in any sailplane or motorized aircraft (without any modifications to the cockpit). This device is already ADS-L-capable and can be activated soon via a software update (according to the manufacturer).
Furthermore, I don't understand why the application must be submitted by the end of November 2026, even though it is not yet known which devices will meet the future FASST guidelines.
Die Sonderfinanzierung BV87b steht für ADS-L-Geräte zur Verfügung (erste Position im Formular, Abschnitt 2.1), und zwar sowohl für tragbare als auch für fest installierte Geräte. Also müsste auch der Kauf des genannten Geräts finanziell unterstützt werden.
BV87-Gelder dürfen per Gesetz nur ausbezahlt werden, wenn eine Massnahme freiwillig ist. Sobald die neue Verordnung im Laufe des 2027 in Kraft tritt, ist eine solche Massnahme nicht mehr freiwillig und verliert daher den Anspruch auf Unterstützung. Und weil pro Periode immer bis Ende November Anträge gestellt werden müssen, muss dies bis 30.11.26 erfolgen.
How can the problem of insufficient battery power in gliders be solved?
This issue has not yet been resolved. However, based on statements from the Gliding Association, we assume that only a very small number of extremely long flights are now affected. During the public consultation—expected to take place at the end of this year—such concerns and comments can and will be submitted to the FOCA.