Q400/ATR Aircraft. Flightradar24

[Neverlate]

Hi Members,
i thought this was the correct forum to ask a question.

I use flightradar24 to track air traffic,however I have noticed it never shows Qantas q400 aircraft or Virgin ATR aircraft.

Can anyone tell me why this is ?

Thanks in advance.

Regards
NL

 

[Shane B]

I have Flightradar24 app on the iPhone. Apparently it has something to do with certain planes having or not having transponders- apparently everything Airbus has them, but not all model Boeings etc. Dash 8s don't have them. There is a section on the web site that explains this in more detail (unless it is not there anymore).

 

[Jamesl]

The aircraft that you see on your iPhone etc. are equipped with what is called ADS-B transponders. This enables air traffic control a greater visual of aircraft using a cheaper mode of receiver which then relays that info to the control centers in MEL/BNE.

The CASA has mandated that ALL aircraft with a VH- registration to be equipped with it by next year.

 

[markis10]

The aircraft that you see on your iPhone etc. are equipped with what is called ADS-B transponders. This enables air traffic control a greater visual of aircraft using a cheaper mode of receiver which then relays that info to the control centers in MEL/BNE.

The CASA has mandated that ALL aircraft with a VH- registration to be equipped with it by next year.

This info is not correct on a number of points, firstly it's been implemented to provide complete coverage of automatic situational awareness across Australia for all traffic above FL290 so that procedural control standards can be removed and separation reduced to 5NM, it's still expensive to install compared to the current SSR mode C transponders for owners. It's not being introduced because its cheaper than existing solutions per se, it's being introduced because radar cannot provide coverage for the whole of Australia's airspace economically which is why we dont have radar coverage transcontinental, the average radar distance is 200nm for route surveillance radar or RSR. The other the of radar in use is TSR or terminal surveillance radar which has a much shorted distance but more rapid position updates, it spins quicker than a RSR when you look at it. I suppose you could say its cheaper than putting in radars everywhere but that was never likely to happen, the resulting ground stations would have been far more than the 51 ADSB ground stations in number.

ADSB is also not required for all aircraft, but only for aircraft that will operate at or above FL290 From the 12th December next year, CAO 20.18 refers. This is why the propjets don't have it now and are unlikely to have it anytime soon, even the new ATRs. Other aircraft that dont have it include the 734s and many 763s since they will be retired by the time it's mandatory.

 

[Blackbird]

Some info here
http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:OLDASSET::svPath=/pilots/download/,svFileName=ADS-B.pdf

Cost of the receivers to the operator is higher.
We could have Australia wide radar coverage (US has this) but would cost a lot of money to do and maintain.
Provides radar like coverage for a fraction of the cost to Air Services Aust.
As Markis10 says only required if operating above FL290 next year.

Only two FIRs in Australia.
see
How air traffic control works | Airservices

 

[markis10]

Only two FIRs in Australia.
see
How air traffic control works | Airservices

I stand corrected on Perth, had not realised it was gone! Shows how up to date I am