Testing has shown that a proposed national wireless broadband network system could negatively impact some GPS systems, or worse, according to a report at AVweb, while a report at AOPA.org notes that a special advisory committee will issue a report that validates the aviation community’s concerns about threats to GPS by LightSquared’s new network, saying it is “incompatible” with aviation because of potential GPS signal interference.
About Janice Wood
Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.
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One of the reasons aviation GPS has been the “lone wolf” has to do with the level of safety that is affected by the interferance. The group cruising down the highway in the family cruiser can stop, ask for directions, and keep going.
As we’re so fond of saying in aviation, you can’t pull over to the next cloud to get directions. While I am sure that the LightSpeed network affects all receivers in the same negative way, it’s impact on the safe navigation of an aircraft is far more paramount that that of the user of a Tom Tom, or even an ocean going vessel. Losing reception in an aircraft isn’t just an annoyance, it can be a critical linkin the safe operation of an aircraft – both Civilian and Military.
While I do believe it’s important to find as many commonalities with other users of GPS devices as possible, I don’t think lumping aviation in with other land-based transportation uses of GPS is a smart idea, or even warranted. It would only serve to lessen the criticality of such interferance to the point of a mere nuiscance – and the loss of GPS data in the cockpit is far from that.
When the final interference test report is released mid June, we will know the effects on all classes of receivers. For now, the executive summary of the forthcoming report prepared for FAA by RTCA says in rather strong terms that Lightsquared operations are incompatible with air navigation.
I believe Lightsquared is ‘home free’ if they can get passed the FAA.
“…..saying it is “incompatible†with aviation because of potential GPS signal interference.”
How is it incompatible with aviation and not with other GPS? Do we not use the same satellites? Why is aviation singled out as different from the family cruising down the highway using GPS? There are more GPS units in motor vehicles then there are in aircraft. Why does aviation keep trying to make itself the lone wolf? Why doesn’t aviation capitalize on the fact it is a form of transportation that utilizes many of the tools that others use?
Isn’t it time that aviation portrays itself as one of the pack instead of the contrary lone wolf? Isn’t it in aviation’s best interest to find similarities with the rest of population? Such as services, including fuel types, not to mention that most critical – navigational aids like GPS.