Originally published at: Australia ADS-B Plan Comes as U.S. Weighs Part 108 Right-of-Way - AVweb
Australian government explores universal ADS-B mandate and global alignment on electronic conspicuity.
Very clever of the FAA. If your aircraft has ADS-B out, the drones must yield to you. If your aircraft doesn’t have ADS-B out, you become a drone target! You have no right-a-way over the drone…even if you are on the right side of the drone. A clever way to force everyone to have ADS-B out. Do you ever get the feeling that our government is completely out of control?
Yes, but drones need a way to detect nearby aircraft reliably even in bad weather. Visual and audible sensors are not adequate in bad weather. Transponders squawking Mode C don’t provide precise enough location information. ADS-B Out squawks latitude, longitude and altitude every second. There are sometimes false indications with ADS-B Out but it’s more reliable than other methods. I think it would have been better for the government to revive financial reimbursement for ADS-B Out installations like they did when it was first mandated but any incentive to equip is good.
And what about all the planes that do not have an engine driven electrical system? The FAA currently does not allow portable ADS-B out transmitters. All those J3 Cubs and Champs will be at the mercy of a drone that can’t see and avoid? What about gliders? If the FAA goes through with this it will be another way to end VFR flying as we currently know it. I wonder how long it will be before the FAA enacts a maintenance rule like transponders have now for ADS-B.