PPRuNe Forums

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)
-   The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions-91/)
-   -   Flawed advice from Transport Minister McCormack’s office regarding SBAS (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/607877-flawed-advice-transport-minister-mccormack-s-office-regarding-sbas.html)

Dick Smith 17th Apr 2018 01:06

Flawed advice from Transport Minister McCormack’s office regarding SBAS
 
The Australian newspaper on Friday April 13, 2018 in a major article headed “Satellite system heralded for its safety benefits” stated the following:


“A spokesman for the Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael McCormack said an SBAS had “the potential to transform air transport in remote and regional Australia.””
Surely that is a load of codswallop as it would be possible to put Baro-VNAV approaches in remote and regional Australia. The only advantage SBAS would have would be a lower minima – I think it works out to be about 100 feet.

Does anyone have any idea of how this lower minima is going to “transform air transport in remote and regional Australia”?

The last figures I saw is that SBAS is going to cost about $150 million. The only way you could go ahead is if there are many other industries in Australia, other than aviation, who are going to receive a financial benefit from it. I would love to know what they are and I would also love to see the proper figures.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m a really strong supporter of SBAS as long as it reflects a positive cost benefit study. Otherwise, I would like the Government to consider putting $150 million into the flight and LAME training industry. Now that could have a real benefit for aviation – both in participation and safety.

OZBUSDRIVER 17th Apr 2018 01:19

Baro-VNAV is only avialable to FMS equipped aircraft. LNAV-V is a different animal...non certified guidance. ...Advisory vertical guidance...Dick, do not fall for that trap. The best way and the only way for vertical CAT 1 equivalent guidance for the likes of Lockhart river is augmented SBAS. Do not fall for the trap that only aviation benefits from a geostationary signal augmentation.

OZBUSDRIVER 17th Apr 2018 01:25

150 million is bs, by the way. Have another read on ground station coverage...other than the ADS-B sites and coms sites. Have another read of the trial under way, covering east coast...if you are being advised that Baro is the way...just turn quietly and walk away from these people. Baro was only instigated so CASA could tick an ICAO box to provide for vertical guidance about eight years ago. Baro is not the answer!

OZBUSDRIVER 17th Apr 2018 01:36

Dick, no one in DoT is going to listen to this truck driver. They will listen to you. Augmented SBAS is being trialled now. Agriculture, autonomous vehicles(NEVER, IF I HAVE A SAY!), individual tracking for detention purposes, more accurate gps guidance for transport, maritime, scientific surveys, local governments, asset management, basically any industry that doesnt require millimetre accuracy as provided by expensive DGPS systems.

DO NOT ALLOW ONLY AVIATION AS THE BENEFICIARY!

Dick Smith 17th Apr 2018 04:31

Ozbusdriver you state:


“Baro-VNAV is only available to FMS equipped aircraft.”
I find this quite mysterious. Would you consider the Cirrus SR22 to be “FMS equipped”? I thought it had simple Garmin equipment and without doubt it provides Baro-VNAV.

Virtually all Garmin equipped aircraft from now on I understand will have Baro-VNAV – that is, including C172s, C182s and so forth.

So what are the facts here?

Ozbusdriver, if $150 million is not right, what is the correct figure? Surely someone must have done a figure. Has anyone put on the back of an envelope the actual cost to our country and the benefit?

It is a pretty simple request.

I think everyone will agree we have to make sure this is not another ADS-B fiasco. At that time, lots of boffins raved on about how fantastic ADS-B would be for general aviation in Australia. They tended to forget about the colossal cost of the installation.

Now that it is all installed, I have never been able to find anyone who has come up with one measurable cent of a cost saving. Also, people I have spoken to say there has been no measurable improvement in safety.

Of course, the $30 million that was claimed to have been spent on the early ADS-B mandate has nearly destroyed general aviation in this country – or it is the prime reason for the destruction. We don’t want more of that happening.

That is why I believe someone by now should have a very simple and accurate cost benefit study done in relation to SBAS. How many ground stations are planned for the system and where are the costings?

rjtjrt 17th Apr 2018 04:45

As Ozbusdriver wrote, it is not just aviation that will benefit from SBAS, but many sectors.
So to write that the cost is on aviation to justify is hard to disingenuous.
Also, you have used a figure of $150M - where does that figure come from and how reliable is it, and what does it include when adding up to the $150M?

Capn Bloggs 17th Apr 2018 05:29


Originally Posted by Dick
Now that it is all installed, I have never been able to find anyone who has come up with one measurable cent of a cost saving. Also, people I have spoken to say there has been no measurable improvement in safety.

You have been told but you choose to ignore what you hear/read.

Dick Smith 17th Apr 2018 06:11

Yes. I understand this. My C 208 has LNAV + V using Garmin 750 equipment

But the aircraft I have mentioned are Baro V Nav equipped.

I understand all new Garmin equipped IFR aircraft in the near future will have full Baro V nav at no extra cost.

So how will SBAS transform aviation in the outback?

rjtjrt 17th Apr 2018 07:38


Originally Posted by Dick Smith (Post 10120943)
.......

I understand all new Garmin equipped IFR aircraft in the near future will have full Baro V nav at no extra cost.

.......

I have frequently heard “in the near future” used in reference to various things, such as the next generation of GNSS so SBAS will be a thing of the past, but “in the near future” is such a nebulous thing and I for one am sick of the “promises” from people who oppose SBAS in Australia.
Lets just get the tried and tested SBAS for which extensive equipment already exists and has for years, and have something that works, not pie in the sky.
Also, as above, SBAS also will benefit wide ranging areas of the community other than aviation.

Dick Smith 17th Apr 2018 08:28

Very strange. All these anonymous posters pushing for this new expensive system but not one giving a hint of what the cost benefit shows.

I wonder who is going to make money out of this?

I suggest some figures are necessary.

The Sirrus Sr 22 has Baro V Nav now at no extra cost. Why wouldn’t other manufacturers follow?

rjtjrt 17th Apr 2018 08:39


Originally Posted by Dick Smith (Post 10121054)
Very strange. All these anonymous posters pushing for this new expensive system but not one giving a hint of what the cost benefit shows.

I wonder who is going to make money out of this?

I suggest some figures are necessary.

The Sirrus Sr 22 has Baro V Nav now at no extra cost. Why wouldn’t other manufacturers follow?

Attack the poster, don’t provide any actual costings yourself. Very commendable.
Where did the $150m you put forward come from, and what does it include?
In past I have admired you but now I just wonder if you are just a contrarian by nature.

I am happy to PM you with my name and contact details if you wish.

missy 17th Apr 2018 08:53

Satellite technology pinpoints regional pilots in new aviation trial
Announced yesterday...


A pioneering new trial led by Airservices Australia will use advanced satellite positioning to guide aircraft to within a few metres, improving safety and efficiency in our skies.

The trial is one of more than 25 being undertaken across multiple sectors, funded through a $12 million Australian Government program. The projects are looking at the benefits of Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) technology.

Australia currently depends on the satellite navigation systems of other countries such as the United States’ GPS, which provides less accurate positioning.

Geoscience Australia is the lead agency for the multi-million dollar program with Airservices Australia overseeing the new aviation project announced today.

Airservices Chief Executive Officer Jason Harfield said the new technology will greatly benefit regional carriers such as REX, QantasLink and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“This trial will test three new technologies, first generation SBAS, second generation SBAS and what’s known as Precise Point Positioning,” Mr Harfield said.

“It will improve safety, guiding pilots with greater accuracy, especially those flying into regional aerodromes operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

“SBAS assisted approaches are eight times safer than those which use ground-based navigation aids.

“This extraordinary new technology, which provides improved navigation and timing over GPS, will also decrease the likelihood of ‘go-arounds’ and cancellations or diversions due to variable weather,” he added.

The broader SBAS program will assess the benefits of improved access to satellite positioning technology across the country, helping many industries which rely on GPS such as agriculture, mining, transport, construction and utilities.

The program is Australia’s first step to joining countries such as the United States, Europe, China, Russia, India and Japan, which are already using SBAS technology.

The two-year program of work is in partnership with global technology companies GMV, Inmarsat and Lockheed Martin.

The Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI) is managing the industry trials, along with evaluation and reporting.

The New Zealand Government is also supporting the SBAS program contributing a further $2 million in addition to the $12 million from the Australian Government.

Over twenty other program trials are already underway, including several across the maritime and agriculture sectors.

For more information about the SBAS aviation trial see the Airservices website.

Check_Thrust 17th Apr 2018 10:16

Dick, I am confused by your stance on this subject.

On another certain topic you keep raving on how we should be copying the "best" and "proven" system and that you built up DSE also by copying the "best", however here regarding SBAS which is very well "proven" and is also used extensively throughout the airspace system that you wish for us to copy you are against it. Why?

Vref+5 17th Apr 2018 11:07

LPV is different from Baro VNAV in that the vertical guidance is derived from GNSS information as well, so it’s the equivalent of an ILS glide path. Baro VNAV is a slope calculated by the internal NAV system based on altitudes and waypoint information in the NDB. Any SBAS enabled system (SBAS is the generic name, WAAS is the US’ SBAS, GAPAN, EGNOS are other countries SBAS ) can doLPV approaches, provided the aircraft AND pilot are suitably equipped, trained, qualified. The benefits for aviation are massive, why install an ILS at Wellcamp or the new runway at Brisbane when you can have a LPV to the same minimums? New mine and strip? No problem, LPV approach surveyed and in place straight away.

Dick Smith 17th Apr 2018 12:28

Yep. It is great technology.

But what will the cost be and who will pay?

How many ground stations will be required for Australia ? What will they cost?

Very mysterious that the government would be financing this trial. I am a businessman and founder of the Australian Skeptics. So far I have never lost any appreciable amount of money on a business deal because I do my homework first.

A person in the industry gave me the $150 m estimate.

Horatio Leafblower 17th Apr 2018 13:11

Does the minister even HAVE an Aviation advisor?

....other than the Dept weenie that has been keeping the seat warm for the last 4-5 months?

gerry111 17th Apr 2018 13:51


Originally Posted by Dick Smith (Post 10121274)
A person in the industry gave me the $150 m estimate.

So you've been down to the Ku-ring-gai Motor Yacht Club again for a barbie?

Dick Smith 17th Apr 2018 16:02

This is really interesting.

It looks as if no cost benefit figures are available.

Imagine that. Even getting the Ministers spokesmen to spruke it up without any proper figures being available.

I think it’s obvious that self interest could be involved. Post anonymously when you have the potential to make millions!

Check Thrust. Yes I am consistent. I only copied the best when I could afford it
Many times I could not. That’s just life and the reason I never owned a Gulfstream!

Sunfish 17th Apr 2018 22:44

whatever you do Minister, don't let anyone ever connected with managing NBN anywhere near the project.

Lookleft 17th Apr 2018 23:12


whatever you do Minister, don't let anyone ever connected with managing NBN anywhere near the project.
Wasn't that the Australian Government in the first instance?

Kral 18th Apr 2018 02:36

Dick, seriously?

A very quick google got me to Geoscience Australia's website on SBAS and answers several of your questions regarding spreading the cost.

ga dot gov dot au /scientific-topics/positioning-navigation/positioning-for-the-future/satellite-based-augmentation-system/profiles

crcsi dot com dot au

Geoscience Australia are a very approachable department, it would be very easy to get in touch with them and the CRC to find out estimated project costs for the options considered. GA on their website state that they are investigating a number of technology options, and they would have that costed. They've engaged EY to do an economic analysis of the options, so maybe give GA a call? Or an email? Or walk in the front door next time you're in CBR?

GA's website list the industries as:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Consumers and Utilities
- Resources
- Spatial
- Transport

So I'd guess that maybe, if that $150million is accurate (which one of the three technologies they are testing does that number come from?) it could be spread across those industries?

Also I'm not a remote positioning expert, but unlike ADS-B, for SBAS to work you wouldn't have to mandate it. Not like every lil C152 tacking along needs it. but I'm sure that REX, RFDS et al would love it. To me this feels like an opt-in system, where people that would get the benefit out of improved positioning can buy the equipment.

Either way, go chat to Geoscience.

kimberleyEx 18th Apr 2018 02:45

Dick

With reference to the statement below:


"I find this quite mysterious. Would you consider the Cirrus SR22 to be “FMS equipped”? I thought it had simple Garmin equipment and without doubt it provides Baro-VNAV.

Virtually all Garmin equipped aircraft from now on I understand will have Baro-VNAV – that is, including C172s, C182s and so forth.

So what are the facts here"?


Can you provide me with the literature where it states Garmin equipment (excluding G1000 avionics) is Baro VNAV capable?

From what I understood most Garmin TSO-C146 receivers are LNAV/VNAV capable with SBAS (WAAS) coverage. Without, its LNAV+V (VNAV advisory) where the approach is flown to LNAV minimums.

With reference most TSO-C146 receivers out there in Aus GA or Regional turboprop, would it be safe to suggest most of those are not Baro VNAV capable? Only LPV or LNAV/VNAV with SBAS (WAAS) coverage.

Dick Smith 18th Apr 2018 03:14

Yes you are correct. Nearly all existing garmin in GA are not BaroVNAv.

In the future this is changing. The Cirrus is equipped with Baro VNAV. Suggest you check with them.

If anyone is purchasing a new aircraft they should insist on Baro V Nav. It probably won’t cost any more .

kimberleyEx 18th Apr 2018 03:59

Dick.

Your comments in regard to new aircraft owners is correct. If they were purchasing a new aircraft, it would be unwise to not request Baro VNAV capable avionics. Especially if it came at no extra cost.

From the existing owners perspective, where operators have already installed TSO-C146 equipment, having SBAS in this country for aviation is a no brainer. Withstanding your comments about the $150m for the country to achieve this mandate. Why don't you wait until the costs are made public so you can make comment?

As stated from previous posts, aviation will not be the only industry to benefit.

The Regional Carrier I work for has looked at Baro VNAV in the past (currently operating Legacy 1990's type Honeywell FMS). To equip for Baro VNAV is for more costly than equipping for SBAS (WAAS) LPV approaches if that service were to become available.

There are many operators who would benefit from SBAS. Perhaps a more positive outlook for it, whilst the trial is in progress would achieve a more useful discussion than just stating on Prune that there is $150m price tag attached?

LeadSled 18th Apr 2018 05:23

Folks,
I smell a rat somewhere, why all the sudden bureaucratic interest in SBAS/WAAS, what has changed, leading to one of the most bulldust laden Ministerial press releases I have seen in a long time.

Reducing some minima from GNSS to GNSS/WAAS “transforming “ aviation --- somebody had the “superlatives” switch turn too high, when the “bull sh*t generator” was switched on.

Years ago (early 2000’s) the various relevant organs of Can’tborough conducted a very extensive investigation of SBAS/WAAS, including a quite reasonable benefit/cost analysis, it was a non-starter.

Nobody argued that there was not some theoretical benefit to rural and regional aviation, but a benefit/cost justified by aviation use was a non-starter. As for all the other uses, more accurate GPS was well on the way.

However, “Regionals” at the time had no interest in the up-front and ongoing costs, for a small saving possibly generated by the occasional diversion avoided.

The majors had no interest, they had GBAS coming up for quite specific local purposes, the savings then came from reducing alternate minima, not reduction of normal approach minima.

All the uses of very accurate positioning for agriculture/shipping/transport are generally available now, have been for years.

Interestingly, the use of GPS in high speed train control was discounted at the time, based on the view that would be no high speed rail in the near future --- almost 20 years later that has not changed.

Where “centimetre” accuracy is required, that is mostly already available, and has been for years, for surveyors or the like. Where it might be needed at a mine site for auto-navigation of mine vehicles, that can be provided by local GBAS, bought and paid for by the mining company.

As I read it, the satellite being used for the “trial” is time expired, putting two new ones up just for SBAS is not a goer, it will be a package hoisted on another launch.

The only obvious savings I see “to Government” is possibly closing down the existing AMSA system?? We know SBAS/WAAS all works, a trial is going to prove nothing we don't already know.

So, WHAT IS THE CATCH?? What has changed since the last big study, now that SBAS/WAAS is “old hat”.

Tootle pip!!

OZBUSDRIVER 18th Apr 2018 06:10

Leadsled...it is plainly simple. You have a newly minted Nat deputy PM who has just inherited the transport portfolio. Before the ink is dry on his ministerial declaration he has the AOPA and Dick becoming very political. The new minister gives the usual boilerplate answer and finds his portfolio erupting...so...now...he trundles out a trial operation to investigate a geostationary satellite equipped with a bent pipe transponder to enhance the gnss network over the eastern seaboard. An appeasment? Not to Dick and you.

If Dick wants researched answers, he can hire me. I am sick to death of finding information pertinent and relevant for free...he has my number. His figures are miles out and information at least two decades old. You are a vested interest, you are on record opposing ADS-B as a means of reinstigating a nm based nav charge. Your information is suspect and biased.

OZBUSDRIVER 18th Apr 2018 06:43

Please note....it is lame of the transport minister to make light of this demonstration as it has been in operation for considerable months before his elevation. He must have an impression that we do not read anything and are quite gullible...not a good look for both side

werbil 18th Apr 2018 07:18

It appears that Australia will once again end up as an Aviation Galapagos. Unfortunately where most of the sales for airborne equipment is there is SBAS in place, so I can't see manufacturers such as Garmin racing to add BARO VNAV as an option let alone a free option to their TSO146 retrofit equipment (ie Gtn750 etc). IMHO 3D guidance is far safer than 2D approaches.

It seems that the GTN750/650 does not offer the +V option where there is a LNAV/VNAV approach in the database, such as for RWY11 at Darwin.

Sunfish 18th Apr 2018 09:28

I have to agree with Dick. There is no technology, no system, that the Australian Government will not corrupt or allow to be corrupted in support of private profit or personal gain. Based on experience, there is no chance a universal SBAS based positioning system will be delivered as a public good to Australians at all.

The system will either be:

1. A prohibitively expensive 'for profit" subscription based business model developed by the financial leaches at Macquarie Bank.

2. A bizarre Australian implementation requiring special equipment at stratospheric costs to satisfy academic, defence and OH&S requirements unknown to the rest of the world.

3. A bean counters implementation providing services on a 9 to 5pm basis on the eastern seaboard.

4. A product of a "National Geospatial Commission" yet to be established, who will "roll out' the system at glacial speed over the next 50 years, a la NBN.

FFS give it to Dick Smith and some hobbyists and we will have a working system in 12 months.

To put that another way, buy it off the shelf and just do it.

OZBUSDRIVER 18th Apr 2018 09:54

Sunfish...exactly! The issue is benefit. When a PM can splash around 5billion on boondoggles as a skin saving measure this benefit ,in cost terms, is small cheese.

Dick, you refer to the Garmin Perspective suite. Not sure this does the deal. Suggest you talk to a dealer and ask them where it states BARO-VNAV as a selectable approach and where you input the data and where it excludes all other approaches.

OZBUSDRIVER 18th Apr 2018 10:00

Sunfish, given the information I possess, the costings are way out. The easy bit is the transponder. The other easy bit is the surveyed receiver stations and uplinks...the hard bit is the bureaucracy. Think DSTO on steroids.

Sunfish 18th Apr 2018 10:47

Agreed OZbusdriver. I havent even watched "utopia" but the foul ups start;

"we need a diverse management committee with transgender, Aboriginal and female buy in".

"The system must have an Aboriginal name, hire consultants!"

"The ground station locations are potential nuclear targets on aboriginal soil or marginal electorates".


"What good will this patriarchal system do for abused mothers and autistic kids?


"This system can be used by terrorists".

"Where is 'user pays' in all this"?

"Governments always stuff things up, leave it to the private sector"..

"This isn’t a free market solution".

"we have a simple cost recovery system".

"Nobody has researched the privacy implications of accurate personal tracking".

"The legal implications regarding liability in the event of system malfunction are considerable".

"criminal penalties must apply to the maintainers of such a system."


it surprises me that we even have NDB and VOR. The current GPS IFR navigators are nothing to do with us, the systems are all American. We have no liability.......

End result "we spent the capital budget on administrative costs, we have no money for satellites or ground stations". Problem solved.

oggers 18th Apr 2018 11:19

All the Garmin units have been WAAS capable for years now and even the old original 400 series can be upgraded to WAAS if required.

Unless you happen to have a new cirrus there is no way that Baro VNAV is the cheaper option for the GA pilot.

LeadSled 18th Apr 2018 14:42


You are a vested interest, you are on record opposing ADS-B as a means of reinstigating a nm based nav charge.
Oz,
Spot on about the charging for VFR, but you know bleeding well that my objection to ADS-B, Australian style, was because it was never subject to any risk management justification and benefit/cost analysis, just a crazy determination by a small group, mostly in Airservices, to be "first".

As a good mate from Cathay said to me just recently, ADS-B has done nothing for us, we fly the same routes, speed and levels as we always did, the return on investment is zero.

Likewise for most airlines and GA, with the possible exception of a small area in WA, the return on ADS-B investment is zero.

Tootle pip!!

Sunfish 18th Apr 2018 22:25

Kimberly:

As stated from previous posts, aviation will not be the only industry to benefit.
Aviation will probably benefit the least. Miners and Farmers are already trialling robot mining trucks*, agricultural tractors and harvesters, that is where the big money savings are to be made.

* Rio apparently trialled one that ended on its back very quickly.

OZBUSDRIVER 19th Apr 2018 03:30

A simple search will tell anyone what coverage there is already over the entire continent for SBAS...and it is not from a soon to be decommissioned bird. In fact, there is a constellation of four already up there doing their thing.

PS, With the new minister. He was at the national press club today. Whilst he didn't spend too much time on aviation REFORM, he did mention it.

OZBUSDRIVER 19th Apr 2018 03:35

Dear Leadsled, you do realise there was an ICAO imperative to instigate positive control within our airspace responsibility by a certain date? As pointed out years ago, the only differences to pilots was a few less calls on the radio. Doesn't mean that there was no benefit.

Dick Smith 19th Apr 2018 05:50

So “ourmutchisit”

OZBUSDRIVER 19th Apr 2018 06:17

A bit but not that:E

Dick Smith 19th Apr 2018 06:34

Of course I want SBAS. Who wouldn’t. It’s fantastic

But I would also like a Gulfstream however it would not satisfy a proper cost and benefit study.

How can they be spending millions on this demo when we all know it will work well.

The only catch is cost. But that’s been kept hidden. I say hidden because I bet proper cost benefit studies have been completed.

Kimberly. It doesn’t sound if your regional airline can change that easily to Aus WAAS equivalent..
I understand Baro VNAV would be too expensive. What would the upgrade cost to use SBAS be?


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:19.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.