Story ID: 
Australia Offers VFR Pilots ADS-B Avionics Subsidy
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The Australian government is offering up to AUS$5,000 to help offset costs of installing ADS-B equipment in crewed VFR aircraft.
Word Count: 212
For a limited time, the Australian government is offering a subsidy of up to AUS$5,000 for ADS-B equipment on crewed VFR aircraft. The government's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is hoping the grant program will encourage more VFR aircraft owners to use ADS-B. Currently, ADS-B in Australia is mandatory only for IFR operations.

These rebates can cover as much as 50 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing eligible ADS-B transceivers, said CASA. To apply for the subsidy, the aircraft must be in either the CASA Australian aircraft register or a register of an approved Australian sport aviation organization. Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2023, or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first. 

CASA said that for VFR pilots, ADS-B will provide: better situational awareness through improved electronic visibility of nearby airborne VFR aircraft; enhanced search and rescue capabilities through improved air traffic information; and ATC with additional and accurate automated aircraft position information.

Operators should note that the selection process is competitive. "Make sure you include enough detail and supporting evidence in your application to help us decide whether to award you the grant," said CASA. "Understanding the entire process will help you be grant-ready and may improve your chances of getting funding."