SAFA Skysailor Magazine

52 SKY SAILOR December-January-February | SUMMER 2025/2026 In short, when implemented fully (IN and OUT), other ADS-B IN aircraft can see you and other ADS-B OUT aircraft on their dis- plays, and if you have a display, you will be able to see other ADS-B OUT aircraft. For the purposes of this exercise, the Skyecho2 EC device is both IN and OUT capable. Fun fact: Airliners in Australia, 737s, Embraers, Airbus, et al, are (mostly?) ADS-B OUT only; they do not have the IN capa- bility. This came up a couple of years ago whilst discussing the proposed changes to airspace around Lennox Head and the Ballina airport in northern NSW. The airline pilots who were speaking, replied to my query, “What can you see when I have my EC device active?” Their answer was, “Nothing; we can’t see you; we don’t have ADS-B IN.” The proposed Mandate, if implemented, will close that hole in the quilt. Also, on the ADS-B pages within CASA is a handy chart comparing the different surveillance technologies available to us, the ‘Can you be seen? Guide’: www.casa. gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/ads-b- can-you-be-seen-guide.pdf FLARM (a collision avoidance tool utilised by the gliding fraternity) will not cut it for CASA’s purposes. What gear can you buy right now? We need to separate the ADS-B device function from the data display function here. The Skyecho2 EC device you can buy right now. It will set you back around $1000; it will need to be registered with CASA, and it will need to be configured with the Mode-S hex code which you can do yourself (the device’s manual is really good). It incorporates both the In and Out functions. That is, you will have visibility of other ADS-B OUT-equipped aircraft, and other ADS-B IN-equipped aircraft will have visibility of you. However, be aware the The ADS-B Mandate Proposal and Consultation