AUSTRALIAN STRATEGIC PLAN FOR GNSS
Some applications of GPS, such as aviation, require a much higher level of guaranteed service (referred to as “integrity”) compared to standalone or enhanced accuracy services. A Space Based Augmentation
System (SBAS) is an example of a service which, in addition to broadcasting corrections to improve the accuracy of position, delivers GPS integrity
information to users, essential for mission critical applications. An SBAS consists of one or more geostationary satellites which transmit position
and integrity information to users, derived from a permanent ground-based reference station network.
An advantage of an SBAS for aviation users over a system using a terrestrial communications link is that it would provide nation-wide (and possibly
regional) coverage. Aviation is the primary application for enhanced
integrity GPS services. This capability is particularly important to support the implementation of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Approach with Vertical Guidance (APV) (Australian Government, 2009b). APV is vital in mitigating Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) incidents such as those which occurred at Lockhart River, Queensland, 2005 (15 fatalities) and Kokoda, Papua New Guinea, 2009 (13 fatalities) (Civil Aviation Safety Authority,
2010). APV approaches, such as those enabled by SBAS, are some eight times safer than non-APV approaches. Australia has supported an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) resolution that commits the nation to adoption of APV by 2016. To date no firm plans exist to build and operate an Australian or regional SBAS, though discussions are taking place within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
We need to see what is out there before we start asking about what we need. Quick read of this paper shows the bofins stuck on centimetric accuracy with a huge array of constant monitoring netwroks which just will not work....BUT....note the date....2016 to adopt APV...CASA is talking to Japan and India. Maybe a few letters to the CASA to look at the idea of economic fitout using existing infrastructure. The bofins see SBAS as too inaccurate for intended purposes...read that as similar to automatic unmanned control of heavy mining equipment.
Here is our go to man-
Dirk Noordewier Air Transport Inspector, Airspace and Aerodrome Regulation, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (
[email protected])
Here is
the plan as of 2010.
General note- This industry needs someone to keep tabs on what is actually happening with regards to regulation and implimentation. These studies have been going on since 2007 and over subjects that have been broached on this forum and have been deemed as too expensive or not here because we want to charge users for it.
EDIT- The cop out is implimentation of Baro-VNAV for APV...methinks a concerted nudge with some well placed advocacy may change the CASAs tune if they have signed up to implimentation by 2016. IFF SBAS/WAAS available thru MTSAT...AirServices designs the approaches, those companies with a need get their equipment certified for LPV and we have CAT I like approaches on our regional RPT networks...saving lives! LHR or YHOT or YBLA need never happen again....EVER!