How about a bit of research before posting - it's all in the joint consultation paper that can be found at
http://www.dotars.gov.au/aviation/ai...Technology.pdf.
If you don't have the time to read the lot, go to the FAQ's at the end.
Firstly, under the proposal ALL aircraft (except aircraft without an engine powered electrical system and some military aircraft) will be required to be fitted and used in E airspace and above, G above A050 and in CTAF(R)'s. This includes foreign registered aircraft, however only aircraft below 5700kg MTOW receive the subsidy.
Secondly the system will be using the 1090MHz ES which does NOT require a ground station for another aircraft to use the data - ADS-B IN receivers will receive and process the transmission from other aircraft - similar to ACASII. So an aircraft equipped with ADS-B IN will receive ADS-B out data from all aircraft that are within line of sight irrespective of ground station location.
As to cost - according to the paper it is revenue neutral and should cost aircraft below 5700kg nothing - according to the paper each aircraft should receive a TSO'd GPS as part of the package for no cost. According to the paper the airspace charges for the "big end of town" will be reduced which will recoup the cost of the installation for them.
Chimbu chuckles &
ForkTailedDrKiller - care to reconsider your comments in light of the above?
As to the argument about not being provided with a verbal warning or instructions on ADS-B in equipment - do we really need it? There can only be one system that does this, and that should be ACAS (TCAS) (ACAS can be improved by including ADS-B data, I believe ICAO are looking at this). We will have to treat ADS-B IN the way we use the mark one eyeball and most of other aircraft instruments - by including it into our scan to increase our situational awareness.
Given the improvements in battery technology and the likely low weight and power consumption of the equipment wouldn't this be the ideal time to include aircraft without an engine driven electrical system as well? If so the subsidy must be sufficient to cover the complete cost of the installation.
I agree with Scurvey.D.Dog that this a great step forward, at effectively no cost to light aircraft, it's a step forward like the introduction of radio, the introduction of radar, and the introduction of mode C transponders.
