McDaniel Explains How WAAS Precision Approaches Have Changed the Future of GenAv

Collaboratively developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), WAAS is used to combat the ionosphere disturbances, clock drift, and satellite orbit errors that prevent basic GPS signals from meeting the FAA requirements necessary for precision flight approach. 

Through its system of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the continental United States and Hawaii, WAAS utilizes collected data to create a GPS signal correction that is then broadcast to WAAS-enabled receivers. The result is a GPS accuracy improvement of approximately three meters 95% of the time.

Given its increased accuracy, pilots who fly with WAAS avionics systems are authorized to fly throughout the U.S. without the reliance on ground-based navigation aids; this precision approach capability has led to unprecedented access to general aviation airports, with over 5,000 ins currently qualified for a WAAS approach.  McDaniel expects the ultimate goal will be to bring a precision approach capability to nearly every runway in the country.  From WAAS’ glideslope resources for VFR approach to every aspect of IFR flight, McDaniel believes that WAAS will eventually make the traditional non-precision approach a relic of the past.

Matthew McDaniel, owner of Progressive Aviation Services, has developed a one-day seminar for current WAAS-pilots and pilots considering a WAAS upgrade to help build an informational foundation of both the benefit and usage of WAAS technology. Covering all aspects of WAAS rules, regulations, and operations, the seminar addresses WAAS-enabled avionic systems and autopilots, as well as many IFR procedural items for pilots.

FMI: www.progaviation.com/index.htm, www.progaviation.com/seminar.htm, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews