Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Aircraft flying in four areas of Eastern Europe and the Middle East have experienced jamming or “spoofing” of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in various phases of flight, leading in some cases to rerouting or even destination changes due to their inability to perform a safe landing procedure, according to a March 17 Safety Information Bulletin from EASA. Eurocontrol, Network of Analysts, and open-source data reports analyzed by EASA show that the spoofing and/or jamming has intensified since February 24, the day Russia invaded Ukraine.
The areas affected include the Kaliningrad region surrounding the Baltic Sea and neighboring states, eastern Finland, the Black Sea, and the eastern Mediterranean area—Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and northern Iraq.
Degradation of GNSS signals could mean the inability to use the satellite system for waypoint navigation; loss of area navigation (RNAV) approach capability; inability to perform or maintain Required Navigation Performance (RNP) operations; triggering of terrain warnings; inconsistent aircraft position information on the navigation display; loss of ADS-B, windshear, terrain and surface functionalities; failure or degradation of ATM/ANS/CNS and aircraft systems that use GNSS as a time reference; and airspace infringements and/or route deviations.
EASA said that the safety concern described in its bulletin doesn’t yet warrant a Safety Directive (SD), however.
EASA recommends that National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) establish contingency procedures with ANSPs and airspace users and ensure the full operation of conventional navigation infrastructure, particularly Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). It also said that NAAs should issue Notices to Airmen (Notams) that describe the affected areas and related operating limitations.
Recommendations for NAAs and ANSPs include establishing a process for collecting GNSS degradation and coordinating with national communications authorities on notifying airlines and other airspace users. Finally, for operators, a litany of recommendations include promptly reporting cases of GNSS equipment degradation to air traffic control.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

EASA Reports GNSS Jamming/Spoofing amid Ukraine Conflict

A Safety Bulletin issued by EASA indicates that satellite navigation system degradation in four specific regions began on the day of the Ukraine invasion.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN