Airservices is reminding business jet operators and airlines to fit Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems ahead of the CASA-mandated deadline of December 12 2013.
The mandate requires domestic and international operators of aircraft that fly above 29,000ft to have ADS-B fitted when flying within the Australian flight information region.
Airservices estimates more than 80 per cent of airline aircraft have been fitted with the necessary equipment, while only eight per cent of business aircraft have so far.
Aircraft not fitted with ADS-B by the mandated date will be restricted to below 29,000ft.
ADS-B has proven to be effective in safely reducing aircraft separation in areas outside conventional radar coverage resulting in more efficient climb and descent profiles and clearances to fly requested routes.
Meanwhile Airservices has completed the upgrade of the terminal area radar in Perth, as part of the $90 million Australian Mode S terminal area radar program. Airservices said the upgrade was vital to Perth Airport’s operations as it wrestles with 400 flights a day. The number of flights in recent years has increased 40 per cent and is expected to grow at an average 13 per cent in the coming years.
