WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Michael Turner have asked the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to account for how much taxpayer money the federal government spent to test LightSquared’s wireless network for interference with GPS and government telecommunications devices. Grassley and Turner are concerned that the federal government spent millions of dollars […]
GPS
Adventure Pilot releases iFly 720 GPS
Adventure Pilot is now shipping its new premium GPS navigation device for general aviation pilots. The new iFly 720 builds on popular features from the iFly 700, while new features include sunlight readability, automated Wi-Fi updating and iFly Streets. The 720 also has premium hardware enhancements like a faster processor, more efficient memory, and an […]
LightSquared to cut 45% of its jobs
Billionaire Philip Falcone’s LightSquared wireless venture is cutting 45% of its jobs — about 150 positions — after the Federal Communications Commission rejected its plan to start operating, after finding that the proposed network interferes with GPS signals, according to a Bloomberg News report. Company officials said the move was intended to reduce costs while […]
Death knell for LightSquared?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After long and detailed — and often contentious — efforts to work out a safe way for LightSquared to build a network of about 40,000 land-based towers in the U.S. for high-speed wireless transmissions without interfering with GPS, the battle seems to be nearing a satisfactory conclusion for general aviation and others […]
FAA moves to kill LightSquared’s plans
The Hill is reporting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has moved to reject LightSquared’s planned wireless network after the president’s top adviser on telecom issues said there is “no practical way” to prevent the network from disrupting GPS devices. Read the full report here.
AOPA boss warns House committee of threats to GPS
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller offered recommendations on new protections needed to preserve GPS’s critical role in the national airspace system in testimony today before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s aviation subcommittee hearing. Fuller noted that pilots rely on satellite-based systems for everything from en route navigation to precision approaches. “Just […]
Subcommittee hearing to focus on GPS and aviation safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) will hold a hearing Wednesday to review the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a critical part of transportation infrastructure. Congressional staffers note the use of GPS in the aviation industry benefits safety and efficiency by providing highly reliable information when […]
GPS testing slated for Wilmington, N.C.
The FAA is conducting GPS testing, Feb. 3-10, in the Wilmington, N.C., area. This testing may result in “unreliable or unavailable” GPS signal, FAA officials said. The testing is centered at 334500N/0770000W or the ILM VOR 129.5 degree radial at 56.5NM. Each testing event lasts 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes off and may start […]
AOPA calls on FCC to revoke LightSquared approval
AOPA is calling for the Federal Communications Commission to revoke LightSquared’s conditional approval to develop a mobile-satellite network, noting that “a technical committee that analyzed test data has concluded that the transmissions pose intractable interference problems for aviation navigation and other uses of GPS.” Read the full report here.