Avionics
FAA seeks GPS backup strategies from industry
The FAA’s original plan to transition to sole-means GPS is no longer practical and some form of backup will be required for the foreseeable future, accordi

The FAA’s original plan to transition to sole-means GPS is no longer practical and some form of backup will be required for the foreseeable future, according to speakers at a recent Navigation Industry Day. This event was sponsored by the DOT, FAA and Civil Aviation Advanced Systems Development (CAASD), which is a component of the federally-funded MITRE research and development center and  a key FAA think-tank resource.

CAASD researchers are involved in virtually all FAA program planning, and the industry day allowed them to discuss their activities with representatives from aviation trade groups. Because the day was dedicated to navigation, the major focus was on GPS and, particularly, on actions resulting from the DOT Volpe Center report on GPS interference and the follow-on DOT action plan.