Wagga Airport was one of four airports to trial Satellite Based Augmentation System technology – a new, advanced satellite navigating system – by Airservices Australia.

The two-day trial showed that the technology was suitable for the needs of Australia’s non-metropolitan airports, using avionics that is already prevalent in regional and general aviation aircraft.

SBAS technology allows for greater accuracy when flying into rural and regional aerodromes, especially during inclement weather.

When operational, it will benefit aeromedical operators and commercial regional airlines.

The trial was part of an SBAS test-bed led by Geoscience Australia.

GA describes SBAS as using “ground-based infrastructure to improve the accuracy, integrity and availability of basic Global Navigation Satellite System signals, such as those currently provided by GPS”.

Dr John Dawson, GA’s director of positioning, said SBAS technology had the potential to transform all of Australia’s transport industry sectors, especially aviation.

“We know from other countries that SBAS technology makes flying safer and more efficient,” Dr Dawson said.

“Through the test-bed, we’re identifying what this looks like in an Australian context and how local industry, business and communities can benefit,” he said.

The trial, which Airservices worked with Air Affairs Australia to conduct, involved a number of SBAS-enabled instrument flight procedures.

Airservices CEO Jason Harfield said Australia was now one step closer to joining countries such as the US, Europe, China, India and Japan, which are already using SBAS technology.

“This qualitative testing is vital for us to assess SBAS against other systems and provides pilots with the chance to see the benefits of this technology first-hand,” Mr Harfield said.

“It’s another example of how we are collaborating with other government agencies and industry to ensure Australia is at the forefront of aviation technology,” he said.

Other airports that trials were conducted at are Mount Hotham, Benalla and Canberra.

A timeline for implementation of the technology has not been provided at this stage.