Australian air traffic service provider Airservices Australia completed the installation and commissioning of its nationwide automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast network in late December, with the country becoming the first in the world to provide nationwide ADS-B coverage.
ADS-B is available to suitably equipped aircraft above flight level 300 through ground stations at 28 sites throughout the country, providing radar-like coverage over continental Australia for the first time. An aircraft’s call-sign, position, altitude, velocity and other data are broadcast twice every second. The accuracy of the information displayed on air traffic controllers’ screens allows separation standards to be reduced from 30nm (55.5km) to 5nm.
Airservices Australia embarked on its ADS-B project in early 2004, signing a contract with Thales for the supply of 57 ADS-B ground stations to be installed at 28 sites. (more…)