It seems Dick intends to commence legal action against ASA tomorrow if the aviation industry is not granted exemption to the mandatory requirement to install ADS-B by 12 December.
It is not the money: Apparently the aircraft manufacturers of 38 pressurised business and commercial aircraft in Australia do not yet have ADS-B available as an option on existing air frames.
Dick Smith lets fly at new air traffic regulation
STEVE CREEDY THE AUSTRALIAN NOVEMBER 26, 2013 12:00AM
AVIATOR and entrepreneur Dick Smith is threatening legal action against Airservices Australia over a new satellite navigation requirement he believes discriminates against business aircraft.
In a potential test case on behalf of business plane operators, lawyers for the former Civil Aviation Safety Authority chairman have written to Airservices asking for air traffic clearances for a proposed trip from
Sydney to Longreach next month.
The demand challenges new rules due to come into effect on December 12 that mean air traffic controllers will not clear planes to fly above 29,000ft unless they are fitted with satellite-based Automatic Dependent
Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment.
Mr Smith's lawyers told Airservices that unless he received clearance for his trip by 5pm tomorrow they would seek a Federal Court injunction.
ADS-B is replacing radar as a more accurate surveillance method for controlling aircraft and promises a more flexible and efficient use of airspace.
While there are dispensations along the east coast "J curve" covered by radar and over some Oceanic airspace, the 29,000ft rule applies to many of the outback and regional areas popular with business jet users.
A problem for Mr Smith and operators of planes similar to his Cessna Citation jet is that ADS-B equipment will not be available from some aircraft manufacturers until the first or second quarter of next year
Mr Smith says this will seriously disadvantage operators, worrying it will drive some broke, while favouring big airlines.
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