This is not true. ADS-B OUT is required to fly in certain classes of airspace, above 10,000 feet, etc. -- anywhere a transponder is currently required. That's all.
That leaves a lot of airspace in the US. Someone flying his C182 in eastern Wyoming may not bother with it as he does not see any benefit. Here in western Oregon, I see the benefit (weather and traffic via ADS-B IN) and have equipped my aircraft even though I (mostly) avoid the airspace where it is required.
Thanks for the info. I had read it was becoming mandatory in the US in 2020.
That was in the context of Australian regulations where aircraft still aren't forced to have ADS-B.
some exceptions: As such, we have concluded that the same aircraft
excluded from the transponder requirement are excluded from the ADS-B Out equipage.
Accordingly, an aircraft that subsequently has been installed with batteries or an electric
starter would not be required to equip for ADS-B Out. The FAA may consider a technical
amendment in the future to remove any confusion due to the discrepancy between the
language in§ 91.215(a)(5) and§ 91.225(e).
