Airservices Australia tests new satellite navigation system in regional centres

Airservices Australia has successfully trialled a new, advanced satellite navigation system aimed at improving safety and efficiency at regional and rural airports.

The trial demonstrated that Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) technology is suitable for the needs of Australia’s non-metropolitan airports, using avionics that is already prevalent in regional and general aviation aircraft.

Airservices worked with Air Affairs Australia to conduct a number of SBAS-enabled instrument flight procedures over two days at Mount Hotham, Benalla, Wagga Wagga and Canberra airports, with impressive results.

Airservices Chief Executive Officer Jason Harfield said Australia is now one step closer to joining countries such as the United States, Europe, China, India and Japan, which are already using SBAS technology.

“This qualitative testing is vital for us to assess SBAS against other systems and provides pilots with the chance to see the benefits of this technology first-hand,” said Mr Harfield.

“It’s another example of how we are collaborating with other government agencies and industry to ensure Australia is at the forefront of aviation technology,” he said.

SBAS technology allows for greater accuracy when flying into rural and regional aerodromes, especially during inclement weather. When operational, it will benefit aeromedical operators and commercial regional airlines.

The trial is part of a SBAS test-bed led by Geoscience Australia in partnership with Land Information New Zealand and FrontierSI (previously the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information). More than 30 organisations and businesses from 10 industry sectors are involved in the test-bed.

Geoscience Australia’s Director of Positioning Dr John Dawson said SBAS technology has the potential to transform all of Australia’s transport industry sectors, especially aviation.

“We know from other countries that SBAS technology makes flying safer and more efficient,” said Dr Dawson. “Through the test-bed, we’re identifying what this looks like in an Australian context and how local industry, business and communities can benefit.”

Visit our YouTube channel for latest SBAS video.

Posted on: July 20, 2018

More news
Related topics

Airservices provides safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry.

Airservices Australia calls for community feedback on new Brisbane flightpath options to reduce aircraft noise

Airservices Australia is today launching preferred flightpath options to reduce the impact of aircraft noise over several Brisbane communities. The proposed flightpath options, which form part of Airservices’ Noise Action Plan for Brisbane were developed after extensive industry and community engagement. Now, Airservices is calling for Brisbane residents to find out more about these options at […]

Airservices Australia updates timing of enhanced air traffic services at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Airservices Australia has revised the timing of the implementation of controlled airspace at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. In order to safely accommodate the continued growth of air traffic in the region, Ballina airspace will transition from the current uncontrolled airspace – where pilots self-separate using visual observation, communication procedures and flight information provided by Airservices– […]

Airservices Australia Releases Australian Aviation Network Overview Financial Year 2025

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview Financial Year 2025 report covering trends in the Australian aviation sector. Key highlights for FY2025 include: About AirservicesAirservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue […]

Airservices Australia expands user-preferred routing trial to enable quicker flights, fuel and emission savings

Airservices Australia has expanded its Asia-Pacific regional trial of cross boundary user-preferred routes, building on the success of the first phase, in delivering shorter travel times, fuel savings and carbon emissions reductions for participating airlines. The initial 11-month user-preferred routing (UPR) trial saw Airservices collaborate with the national air navigation service providers (ANSPs) of Indonesia, […]