Avionics News November 2014 - 4

ADS-B lessons learned
from Down Under
1.
2.
3.

Do it right.
Ask the hard questions.
Tell the customer the truth.

A

DS-B and its deadlines are coming, and I hear a
first-of-type installations. In some cases, this is a simple
collective groan from the readers: "Not another
plug and play. But in other cases, it's a complex task.
article about ADS-B and the need to get cracking because
This brings me to my first point - the need to ask
we don't have enough avionics resources to retrofit the
many questions and work toward a solid understanding of
fleet." Well, actually no.
the technical task at hand. Australia put in a lot of effort
Down here in Oz, ADS-B has already arrived, at least
driving through the "standards soup" as the minimum
partially. It was introduced by first requiring it on aircraft
aviation system performance standards and technical
flying above FL029, with some exemptions.
standard orders evolved, and the manufacturers
Unlike the U.S., Australia has limited primary
worked to stay in step. Our goal was to get it
radar coverage allowing procedural separation
right and not have to go back and tweak the
only across most of the country. For those
installation. We wanted our customers to be
areas, ADS-B became mandatory. In what
pleased and stay pleased.
we call the J Curve, the heavily populated
One of our company's installs was
Southeast section of the country, primary/
particularly challenging and satisfying.
secondary radar provides for controlled
We upgraded a Hawker 800XP fitted with
Michael Kus
separation. In this area of the country, an
Honeywell Primus II avionics, GNSSUs and
ADS-B exemption has been granted to aircraft
NZ-2000 FMS. For this aircraft, the changes
for which there is no supplemental type
involved GNSSU changes to WAAS-capable
certificate or airframer's service bulletin. Full compliance
units, NZ-2000 software upgrade to support WAAS and
will be required by 2017 for anyone flying in controlled
transponder changes to provide extended squitter Mode S.
airspace or IFR. The small VFR aircraft in Class G will
Honeywell already had a good understanding of the
be exempt.
ADS-B task, having worked closely with our air traffic
Compliance to DO-260A is required, but 260B is the
services provider, Airservices Australia, in the initial
target. We currently have some of each flying.
ADS-B trials, which is our version of the Capstone
A few operators have embraced it and allowed us to
Program in Alaska. Our trials involved commissioning
develop local installation solutions. Others have chosen to
a ground station and equipping a small fleet of diverse
hold off pending the availability of SBs and STCs.
aircraft types. The ground station was placed just outside
It's been an interesting journey, melding avionics
Continued on page 39
equipment manufacturers' initial offerings with designing

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avionics news

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november 2014
november 2014
Avionics News November 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News November 2014
