Wed, Sep 30, 2009
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.
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