Urges FAA To Speed Approach Approvals And Members To Equip To Take Advantage
The FAA announced this week that it will permit aircraft using the GPS-based Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) to descend lower than currently allowed as they approach an airport before deciding whether or not to continue on an land when they begin publishing new procedures late this year. It’s a decision, says the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), that opens the door to precision all-weather approaches at thousands of general aviation airports.
“AOPA has been a strong supporter of WAAS for more than a decade,†said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “We have urged both Congress and the FAA to press ahead with the program because it improves air safety by providing precision vertical guidance needed, especially in poor weather conditions. And it makes better use of the nation’s system of airports because thousands that currently may only be used in good weather can become all-weather capable.â€
Currently, it costs the federal government between $1 million and $1.5 million per runway end to install the current ground-based radio navigation system, known as an instrument landing system (ILS) system. By comparison, mapping and publishing a new WAAS-based instrument approach procedure with vertical guidance (WAAS LPV approach) costs about $50,000.
Aero-News Network
The FAA announced this week that it will permit aircraft using the GPS-based Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) to descend lower than currently allowed as they approach an airport before deciding whether or not to continue on an land when they begin publishing new procedures late this year. It’s a decision, says the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), that opens the door to precision all-weather approaches at thousands of general aviation airports.
“AOPA has been a strong supporter of WAAS for more than a decade,†said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “We have urged both Congress and the FAA to press ahead with the program because it improves air safety by providing precision vertical guidance needed, especially in poor weather conditions. And it makes better use of the nation’s system of airports because thousands that currently may only be used in good weather can become all-weather capable.â€
Currently, it costs the federal government between $1 million and $1.5 million per runway end to install the current ground-based radio navigation system, known as an instrument landing system (ILS) system. By comparison, mapping and publishing a new WAAS-based instrument approach procedure with vertical guidance (WAAS LPV approach) costs about $50,000.
Aero-News Network
