Airservices Australia has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to avionics makers for as many as 1,500 ADS-B airborne systems for installation in the country’s general aviation fleet. The RFP, which includes system design, manufacture and installation, is part of the country’s long-term plan to transition to ADS-B technology as the primary means of surveillance in en route airspace.

The initiative dovetails with a program to equip the country’s GA fleet with complementary ADS-B avionics, similar to the FAA’s Capstone program, which provides free advanced avionics to commercial operators in Alaska. Australia is considering offering subsidies to commercial operators to encourage them to install ADS-B avionics, saying all users would need to participate for the program to be successful.