CASA has issued a two-year exemption allowing aircraft not equipped with ADS-B transponders to continue operating in airspace above Flight Level 290, a move that will be particularly welcomed by business jet operators.
The mandate for all aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B was due to take effect from December 12 this year, but the exemption will allow limited operations in the ‘J-curve’ of Australian airspace that has radar coverage (along the east coast from Brisbane to Melbourne, and across to Adelaide), as well as exempted oceanic airspace areas. But operators will still need to notify CASA of flight details 14 days in advance.
“Exemption requests for other areas of airspace at and above FL290 where ADS-B is the primary means of surveillance for air traffic management will not be approved,” CASA said in issuing the exemption instrument (CASA EX113/13). “Operators can complete and submit Form 208 to provide CASA with advice on those aircraft which it intends to operate in the exempted airspace without ADS-B. CASA will use the information provided to inform Airservices Australia of the notified aircraft, for use in its Air Traffic Control system.”
The exemption runs from December 12 to December 11 2015.
