DICK SMITH TO DEMONSTRATE ‘MAIL ORDER’ AIRLINE TRACKER THAT CAN BE USED BY TERRORISTS AND CRIMINALS ALIKE

A decision by Airservices Australia to be the first in the world to replace radar tracking of aircraft with a low cost GPS-type system will seriously jeopardise aviation security and allow terrorists and criminals to track every aircraft in the sky, including police, customs and defence aircraft and even the Prime Minister’s plane.

According to Dick Smith, a small electronic device, which is available by mail order, can give anyone access to information on the exact location of any ADS-B equipped aircraft.  (ADS-B  - Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast – is an aircraft mounted ‘black box’ that transmits GPS position information).

“Airservices Australia is currently reversing the Federal Government’s policy on using the US radar-based National Airspace System (NAS),” Dick Smith said.

“Airservices has not told the Government of the serious security issues.

 “Aviation security should be paramount in Airservices’ thinking, not subsumed by a quest for increased profits and bigger take home packages for executives,” he said.

“Moving to an ADS-B system will allow Airservices to remove radar units and reduce air traffic control costs.

“But, the security threat it will produce is serious indeed.

“Aviation security should never be compromised for cost-cutting or profit,” he said.

“Government policy using conventional radar makes it almost impossible for a terrorist or a criminal to locate the position and identity of an aircraft, because many millions of dollars are required to build a directional radar antenna.

“With ADS-B, it’s the opposite because all you need to track every aircraft is a small non-directional aerial, worth $5,” said Dick Smith.

On prior arrangement, Dick Smith will demonstrate a small ‘black box’ unit which detects ADS-B signals and shows the aircraft’s identification as well as its location with pinpoint accuracy. 

The electronic unit was ordered from overseas by mail order and arrived directly in Dick Smith’s post box without intervention by customs.

“To ensure aviation security is maintained at the highest level, the Government should immediately stop any further implementation of the cheaper ADS-B system until a secure system is designed.

“Until this is done, radar must remain so that the security of our aviation industry is not compromised.”

Mr Smith said urgent action was needed as Airservices Australia was making a decision within days to remove the radar units. 

For further information look at the ADS-B articles on this website.