The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have today issued a statement encouraging owners of VFR aircraft to take advantage of the ADS-B rebate on offer from the Federal Government.
With the 50% or $5000 rebate scheme due to expire on 31 May, very few aircraft owners have taken advantage of the scheme which began on 1 June 2022.
In total, to 25 February this year, 1357 out of 1516 grant applications have been approved and paid out, but that represents only a small portion of Australia's VFR fleet given that the rebate is also open to recreational aircraft.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell and AMSA CEO Mick Kinley were both keen to remind pilots of the advantages of ADS-B and urged aircraft owners to take the opportunity presented by the rebate scheme.
“The ‘see and avoid’ principle for pilots has known limitations," Mitchell said, "and the use of ADS-B IN with a cockpit display or an electronic flight bag application showing traffic information greatly improves a pilot’s situational awareness and enhances the safety of their flight.
“While there were a number of contributing factors, the need for improved situational awareness for pilots was evident during our investigation into the mid-air collision of two IFR training aircraft near Mangalore Airport in 2020.
"While both aircraft involved in the collision were operating under instrument flight rules (IFR) and equipped with ADS-B OUT, neither aircraft were equipped with ADS-B IN systems.”
Mick McKinley pointed out that ADS-B systems also have the ability to assist AMSA conduct search and rescue operations when aircraft and crew are in distress.
"The accurate positional data available from ADS-B can also assist in managing life-saving search and rescue (SAR) operations undertaken by AMSA, helping to guide first responders to a location with greater precision to affect a rescue," he explained.
"ADS-B data is another valuable tool used for SAR operations in Australia which helps to improve our ability to save lives.
“For aircraft in distress that are equipped with ADS-B, AMSA’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Australia will use the aircraft’s last known ADS-B position to refine a distress location.
"ADS-B can also provide enhanced traffic conflict data in a search area that may involve multiple SAR aircraft to enhance the safety of those involved in the response.”
Although the rebate scheme has been open for nearly two years, it has been hampered by poor avionics availability early on and ongoing shortages of qualified engineers to fit panel-mounted equipment.
With the rebate deadline looming in just over a month, the Federal Government has not committed to extending the program for a third year, but instead has said they are "monitoring the program's uptake to ensure it is fit for purpose."