ADS-B In

ADS-B In receives two data streams from FAA ground stations: TIS-B (Traffic Information Service-Broadcast), which shows nearby aircraft targets, and FIS-B (Flight Information Service-Broadcast), which provides free NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, and NOTAMs in the cockpit. All of this is free with no subscription once the hardware is installed.

ADS-B In does not satisfy the ADS-B Out mandate. It is purely a receive-only system. Many pilots use a portable ADS-B receiver (like a Stratus or GDL 50) paired with a tablet running ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot to get traffic and weather without any panel modification. Dedicated panel-mount units like the Garmin GTX 345 include both In and Out in a single box.