Last year Australia switched off most of its navaids, meaning that RNP became a requirement.
This year, they’re asking all aircraft flying in Australian airspace to be ADS-B equipped after February 2nd, 2017. ADS-B means that controllers can use your uplinked GPS position, instead of mammoth SSR Radar Units all over the country.
There are two exemptions:
- Small Australian-registered GA aircraft
- Foreign-registered aircraft with the restriction that you must fly below FL290 in continental airspace, and stick “RMK/NIL ADSB AUTH” into Field 18 of the Flight Plan.
You don’t need to apply for special authorisation, just show up.
References:
- Air Services Australia (ATC) mandate list
- Australian CAA (CASA) ADS-B information
- CASA Authorisation summary