Do I need a certified FLARM Compatible display?

Short answer: Yes, unless the display is integrated into the FLARM device (e.g. PowerFLARM Portable).

FLARM is a collision-avoidance system. Aircraft with a FLARM system alert the pilots when on a collision course with another aircraft. Similar to TCAS/TAS, visual and aural warnings indicate that a collision is imminent, requiring the pilots to take action. In addition, many FLARM systems can also show nearby aircraft on a radar-like screen (CDTI). FLARM can also warn about fixed obstacles and dynamic alert zones.

To enable tens of thousands of FLARM-equipped aircraft to communicate efficiently, the FLARM firmware needs to be updated every 12 months. The status of the system, and any error condition, is continuously communicated to the connected FLARM Compatible display.

The communication between the FLARM device and the connected display utilizes the open and freely available FLARM protocol, as defined in the FLARM ICD (document FTD-012). This ensures correct and complete communication not only of collision and other warnings but also of all status and error conditions required for the pilots to be able to verify that the system is operational.

A display that is certified as FLARM Compatible has been shown to implement all required systemic functions, both on a protocol and user interface level, as well as being in conformity with the relevant EASA Certification Specifications (SC). The FLARM Compatible Certification Specification for displays is freely available to developers (document FTD-013). The certification is free of charge.

Note: Since FLARM systems and displays do not require an (E)TSO, the certification of displays is administered outside of the EASA system. The Certification Specification for FLARM displays is not an EASA CS.

Displays that have been certified as FLARM Compatible carry the FLARM Compatible logo (see depiction on the right). A list of certified FLARM Compatible displays can be found in the Product Selector under the Category ‘Primary Displays’. Non-certified displays can be used as a secondary display e.g. for complementary traffic information. If the primary display has not been certified as FLARM Compatible, it may be possible to still use it as a primary display if the deviations are understood and the resulting risks are acceptable or mitigated. This should be done as a risk assessment as described in the device-specific Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). If not available, the generic FLARM-ICA can be used instead (document FTD-073).