The Federal Government today published the much-awaited 2024 Aviation White Paper – Towards 2050, with most of the general aviation component aimed at sustainability, skills shortages and airport access.
It also includes the potential for an ADS-B mandate across all classes of airspace, and an expansion of the ADS-B rebate out to 2027.
The White Paper comes after two years of work, and was the major pillar of the aviation policy the ALP carried into the federal election in May 2022.
In releasing the paper, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said that new initiatives would amount to an industry overhaul.
"The Albanese government will boost consumer rights, increase competition, support regional and general aviation, and help the sector decarbonise under the most significant overhaul of aviation for more than a decade," she said.
"A new aviation white paper will create the framework to give passengers a better deal while ensuring the industry maintains Australia’s strong safety record."
Whilst the vast majority of the paper is directed at airline travel and the major airports, attention has been given to general aviation in several areas, including:
- growth through new technologies
- a pathway to net-zero carbon emissions
- improving the regulatory framework
- access to airport infrastructure
- access to airspace
- expanding the regional airports program
- improving licensing outcomes for engineers
- reviewing the visa system for skilled migrants.
"General Aviation (GA) is uniquely positioned to implement some of the innovative changes the aviation sector needs
to modernise," the white paper states. "By designing, testing and manufacturing new aviation technologies, GA will improve productivity, safety and connectivity, contributing to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
"This is in addition to GA’s vital and ongoing roles of training important parts of the aviation workforce, supporting the agricultural and tourism sectors and supporting delivery of medical and emergency services.
"The Australian Government will work with the GA industry to prioritise regulatory changes necessary to reduce the burden on GA operators and keep pace with the technological change; continue to support access for GA to our regulated secondary metropolitan airports; and strengthen airspace management for GA to remain safe in Australia’s skies."
Among the key details points of the GA policy are some indicators that the ALP is aware of the main challenges facing the industry, including:
- an admission that sustainable aviation fuel is not the solution for GA
- hydrogen-electric and electric is likely to be the GA power source of the future
- supporting infrastructure will be vital if GA is to adopt net-zero measures
- CASA must update the GA workplan, but safety will remain the priority
- government policy takes into account the recommendations of the senate inquiry
- the government will ensure the leased federal airports take into account GA access in master plans
- the government will continue to monitor the self-administration model for recreational aviation as airspace gets busier with UAVs and urban mobility aircraft.
The policy also includes the potential for ADS-B equipment to become mandatory across all classes of airspace. Currently it is mandatory for IFR flight only.
"To improve safety and efficiency, the government will consider options for a universal ADS-B mandate for GA aircraft," the white paper states. "Widespread use of ADS-B technology will be essential to ensure the safe and efficient operation of Australia’s airspace in future.
"The government is establishing a cross-agency working group to advise on the expansion of the current ADS-B mandate to cover all airspace classes.
"Given the long lead-times of aviation investment, this will provide GA with certainty about the future of airspace management, and the future investments they will need to make to continue to operate safely in uncontrolled airspace."
Aviation White Paper – Towards 2050 and the fact sheet Regenerating General Aviation can be downloaded from the Department of Infrastructure website.