Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast

Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) is an air traffic surveillance technology that enables aircraft to be accurately tracked by air traffic controllers and other pilots without the need for conventional radar.

Australia now has significant ADS-B surveillance coverage available across the continent. This additional surveillance has become necessary due to the ever-increasing volume of traffic that Australia now experiences, particularly in remote regions. Importantly, it also offers airspace users many benefits.

Benefits

• Significantly improved surveillance coverage across the continent
• ADS-B has enabled more aircraft to operate safely in the same volume of airspace
• An increased likelihood of obtaining preferred levels/altitudes
• Improved incident, emergency and search and rescue response
• ADS-B improves the ability of air traffic control to provide navigation assistance during abnormal situations such as loss of position
• Improved situational awareness when using ADS-B ‘IN’
• Ability for ground staff/family/friends to track aircraft through freely available software
• Cost effective solutions available for whole of industry.

The NTSB recently recognised ADS-B as an important technology for ‘see-and-avoid’—you can read about it on the NTSB website.

ADS-B mandate

The most recent ADS-B mandate came into effect on 2 February 2017 and requires all IFR flights to be fitted with serviceable ADS-B equipment.

CASA has granted two temporary authorisation instruments to enable a limited number of non-equipped IFR aircraft to fly without ADS-B under specific conditions until 2020.

Under the instrument for domestic aircraft, Australian registered aircraft in some classes of Australian airspace not equipped with ADS-B are able to fly IFR for private operations until 2020.

Under the instrument for foreign registered aircraft, IFR aircraft with a secondary surveillance radar (SSR) transponder may fly in Australian airspace, including oceanic control areas, but must fly under 29,000 feet in continental airspace unless they receive a clearance from ATC. This only applies until 2020.

More information can be found at ADS-B mandates 2014-2017 or on the CASA website.