Definition
A free service in the ADS-B system that uplinks air traffic radar data from FAA ground stations to suitably equipped aircraft. It provides nearby traffic information, including aircraft that are not transmitting ADS-B Out, allowing the pilot to see them on a cockpit display.
Plain English
A service that sends a picture of nearby air traffic up from the ground to your aircraft, so you can see other planes on your screen — even ones that aren't broadcasting their own position.
Context Anchor
You will see TIS B discussed with ADS-B In equipment, cockpit traffic displays, and traffic awareness services.
Derivation
The name describes the service plainly: it's a 'broadcast' (sent out from the ground to any properly equipped receiver in range) of 'traffic information' compiled from radar.
Why Pilots Care
Improves situational awareness and helps pilots avoid conflicts with other traffic.
Grounding Statement
TIS B is ground-sent traffic information that helps a pilot see where some nearby aircraft are, but it is not a complete picture of all traffic.
Intuition Check
Traffic here means other aircraft, not road traffic or general airport busyness. Broadcast does not mean every aircraft is guaranteed to appear; it means the information is sent out electronically to equipped aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
After installing the new ADS-B receiver, the pilot could see surrounding traffic on the tablet thanks to TIS-B uplinks from the nearest ground station.
Example Sentence 2
TIS-B updates traffic data continuously as long as the aircraft remains within the service volume.