SAFA Skysailor Magazine

49 SUMMER 2025/2026 | December-January-February SKY SAILOR ing reading, and I suggest you inform your- selves fully by downloading and reading it. It is important to note that, “… this paper does not reflect Australian Government policy, or the final position for any given agency…” The members of the SAFA Operations team did read this paper, and we provided a submission. I also provided one in my own personal capacity. You can read our proposal here: https://mcusercontent. com/65f16e79265a14be5cdbfaa6a/ files/55ec748f-90ad-676f-d672-b1c- cb8eb97a1/SAFA_Submission_Mandat- ed_ADS_B.pdf The proposed stages of the mandate are: • Aircraft operating under VFR in Class A, D, E and G airspace be equipped with ADS-B OUT from 2028. • For Class D, E or G airspace, operators could “…choose between approved ADS-B equipment or approved EC devices.” • In 2033, all capable aircraft operating in Class B and C airspaces are to be equipped with approved ADS-B equipment. To paraphrase from our submission, SAFA does not agree with the Mandate proposal as presented . The paper is unclear around some of the definitions. The one that concerned us was what an ‘ADS-B capable aircraft’ was. Any aircraft could be described as ADS-B capable, but does this mean they can carry a full-powered ADS-B unit that needs to be installed by a LAME (Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer)? Do our weight- shift microlight aircraft fall inside that very unclear definition? Another concern we have is around the carriage of EC devices. The mandate pro- posal intends that all aircraft carry at least one of these; there are no exemptions or exceptions raised. The single unit that is available (uAvionix Skyecho2) comes in a form factor (shape) that makes mounting a problem for aircraft that do not have a dashboard or surface that will allow the provided suction mount device to be utilised. Hang glider pilots may be able to use cable ties to attach to their king post or downtubes. Paraglider pilots face difficulties.