If the jungle drums in Canberra are on song, we're about to get an extension to the deadline to fit ADS-B Out to private IFR aircraft. CASA has been clinging strenuously to the 2 February 2017 mandate deadline like the world would come crashing down if they didn't, and it's been the subject of vigorous lobbying by general aviation, in particular AOPA and Dick Smith. No matter how you dissect this, it's a big feather in the cap of AOPA and General Manager Ben Morgan. With some help from Nick Xenophon, they've managed to make a change to the GA landscape. Not too many have done that in the past 20-odd years.
But let's not start the ticker-tape parade just yet; we don't know the details of the extension deal, but you can guarantee there will be restrictions on how it works. My guess is that it will be for private aircraft only and will not allow you into C Class airspace. The largest question mark lies over aircraft on flying school lines. They're not considered private aircraft, and we'll have to wait to see if they are included in the forthcoming exemptions.
So, what have we actually won? If the lobbyists have got this right, Australians will now get cheaper ADS-B units because our deadline matches that of the USA, meaning we can take advantage of lower prices driven by higher production rates. It always happens, doesn't it? Nick Xenophon used the example of flat-screen TVs when he tackled CASA boss Shane Carmody in Senate Estimates. Last Monday I crashed the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) conference in Melbourne just in time for afternoon drinks, and whilst I was there, canvassed the thoughts of the major ADS-B manufacturers. Not one of them agreed that unit prices would come down. Yes, they have a vested interest in us buying their product right now, especially if prices will indeed come down, influenced also by an increase in competition when the 2020 deadline nears.
Some manufacturers stated that Australia did the right thing by going early on ADS-B, because it gave them the chance to make to our orders before the crushing last-minute demand from the 200,000 US aircraft to be fitted falls on them. If Australian owners wait until the 2020 deadline to fit, they may find themselves in trouble; sort of like being at the back of the queue at a Boxing Day sale. Has anyone noted the Kiwis have their deadline at 2021, one year after the US and at a time when the US demand will have abated?
Enough said about that ... for today.
Sonya the Magnificent and I were lucky enough to attend the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremonies in Temora last Saturday night. It was a gala evening and a fitting one to honour the five inductees and Bush Pilots Airways. AAHOF is gathering momentum and becoming more and more important to aviation in Australia with every induction they have. Although the stories of each inductee are separate and of their own, AAHOF brings them to one place to tell the story of this country's contribution to aviation at a global level. Lawrence Hargrave, Smithy, Bert Hinkler, Harry Hawker, Edgar Percival, Wackett, Warren, Ansett, Bonney ... their stories make up the narrative of a nation that embraced the capability and potential of aviation. AAHOF is not only their story, it's ours also.
And so the Australian Defence Force has said they will do flight screening via flight simulators nowadays rather than using real aeroplanes. Prior to the introduction of the PC-21 and re-location of basic flight training to East Sale, the ADF used CT4s out of Tamworth to put civilian candiates through the wringer to see if they're capable of taking instruction under pressure. Now it's all going to be sims. For sure it will be cheaper, but will it do the job? The image quality and fidelity of simulators has reached such a point that they can replicate just about anything, so on face value you'd have to say "yes". With rumble seats and g suits to simulate the effects normally experienced in flight screening, they've got all the bases covered. It will be interesting to see if it actually works for them!
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch