Civil Aviation Safety Authority - DP 1102AS
Main changes for VFR aircraft:
- no ADS-B requirement in G at all, no exception any more for uncontrolled RPT locations
- ADS-B
capable transponder in G > 10,000'. (not required to have GPS source attached or be transmitting ADS-B)
- From 2020, ADS-B out required in A, B, C, D and E.
The first ones are clear wins for us bug smashers, the latter has some issues.
What if you have your aircraft at Port Lincoln and want to fly it to Parafield once a year for the annual or to get a BFR? You'll no longer be welcome!
It makes a mockery of class D being a "non radar" environment; not only is your good old mode-C not good enough anymore, you'd need to spend a small fortune on ADS-B for ATC not to officially be looking at you on radar?
Those flying IFR are still looking for a huge upgrade.
For new installations, you'll still need an ADS-B capable transponder from 2014, but only IF you to fly into CTA. That basically gives you the option of no transponder and staying OCTA, or installing Mode-S. I guess I can live with that.
This also seems over doing it a bit: aircraft operation at Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth Airports will need a Mode-S (no ADS-B) transponder from January 1, 2016. And how about only flying through their airspace, does that constitute "operating at"?
In all, a lot better than the previous DP. Still leaves the issue of retrofitting existing aircraft by 2020; equipment prices will come down, but we still need to solve the CAR35 vs. STC issue.