A little more research on top of Bing's.
That ABIT Meeting was March 2006 - over 2 years ago.
Interesting, even then, RFDS WA was concerned about safety and pushing for MORE sites for ADS-B. Extract below:
"Steve Lansell – RFDS list provided 8 WA sites – not sure why they weren’t assessed. Traffic provides a risk to RFDS (tourist flights etc.) and requested that Kununurra, Tarren Rock and Fitzroy Crossing be reconsidered. Albany could be swapped for Meriden (location of the China Southern Flying School)."
We have been told by others no safety benefit exists below 10,000' - one can only assume these tourist flights abovementioned are on oxygen
Now to maintenance and the RAD 43/47 scenario.
RFDS WA operate 6 x PC12, 5 x B200 = 11 aircraft.
This from the RFDS WA website:
"All aircraft maintenance is managed from our maintenance facility
at Jandakot Airport. The facility is able to carry out all airframe, engine,
avionics, electrical and instrument maintenance activities in support of our fleet other than major engine overhauls and some specialist equipment repairs.
Our PC12 and B200 aircraft require scheduled maintenance inspections each 200 flying hours. The inspections typically take between one and three days depending on the aircraft type and spares availability. Based on our current flying activity,
approximately 75 such inspections are carried out each year."
It would seem our concerns of 2006 are now unfounded as even if the RFDS did not equip to undertake ADS-B RAD, the location at Jandakot makes such work quite simple coincident with routine maintenance that - dividing 75 by 11 equals each aircraft in for maintenance at least every two months.
Another obstacle removed from the ADS-B path 