The Australian Strategic Air Traffic Management Group (ASTRA) has proposed that aircraft flying under Visual Flight Rules be encouraged to fit ADS-B Out systems voluntarily.
Under the current regulations, ADS-B is being mandated from February 2017 for only IFR aircraft.
In an ASTRA paper developed in March 2016, the group states that fitting ADS-B to VFR aircraft would increase safety because the aircraft would be visible to ATC, on traffic collision avoidance systems (TCAS) and to other aircraft fitted with ADS-B In.
The paper also acknowledges that VFR aircraft owners are unlikely to fit voluntarily unless the systems got a lot cheaper to buy and install.
"Maximising voluntary fitment of ADS-B technology in VFR aircraft will enable air-air traffic awareness methods and technologies, and significantly improve aviation safety," the ASTRA document states.
"Whilst regulated mandatory fitment is not indicated, widespread equipage can be encouraged through the adoption of appropriate standards and installation process simplification.
"The CASA Director has instructed staff to examine means to encourage voluntary installation of ADS-B into the general aviation (GA) fleet and reduce the costs of equipping GA aircraft with ADS-B.
This is ongoing work but the findings to date have been included in this paper for completeness."
ASTRA proposes that CASA should accept FAA Technical Service Order (TSO) C199 as acceptable for VFR, or that CASA allows non-TSO approve avionics in VFR provided the manufacturer has a statement of compliance with the TSO.
Most importantly, ASTRA has proposed that CASA changes the requirements for installing some avionics to lower the cost of design, installation and maintenance, which is sees as vital if ADS-B Out is to become widespread in VFR aircraft.
"Alternative approaches, based on TSO approved equipment and individual installations being subject to modification approval, seem certain to ensure that ADS-B fitment does not become widespread – and the benefits of widespread equipage and air-air awareness will not be provided," the paper states.
"By bringing ADS-B OUT fitment within reach for VFR aircraft, the approach proposed in this paper enables ADS-B IN technologies and methods for traffic awareness and alerting by pilots of all equipped aircraft. It is expected that products which combine ADS-B OUT and IN functions, including those with wireless links to handheld portable tablets and EFBs, will proliferate in GA markets."
It is believed the ASTRA paper is being circulated to selected aviation associations for comment.