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Everyone acknowledges that GPS is a wonderful invention.
It has replaced older, less capable technologies while
finding new applications, thanks to exceptional attributes
and affordability. Even so, and despite its relatively
recent introduction, improvements have already been
conceived and introduced. The space-based augmentation
system called WAAS is one of the more important ones,
but others are on the way.
WAAS is now a fact of life, with
ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) just now
beginning to be installed. Outside the United States
other augmentation systems are being fielded, including
EGNOS in Europe, MSAS in Japan, and GAGAN in India.
New satellite constellations that augment or compete
with GPS – time will tell – are being
established or reinforced: Europe's Galileo, China's
Compass, and Russia's GLONASS. In GPS's space segment,
the satellites that transmit the all-important reference
signals for position determination are being updated,
launch-by-launch, and a second signal frequency is
being introduced to improve accuracy. This same tendency
for change holds true, by the way, for areas other
than navigation; e.g., new surveillance technologies
like ADS-B for which GPS/WAAS is an enabler.
With so much changing, the only
way to keep up is to follow its evolution on a regular
basis. Monthly trade journals are one means of doing
so, but an effective and affordable alternative is
to monitor websites that present the most current
information on these issues, both on a reporting and
editorial basis. To this end, we offer web pointers
to some of our favorite sites. We've found these to
be of value when seeking insight regarding navigation,
surveillance, and related aviation issues. The list
is not all-inclusive, and it's highly likely others
– either already established or soon to be launched
– are or will be out there. If we've overlooked
a site for which you have a high opinion, please let
us know so it can find its way into an updated version
of this list sometime soon.
- GPS
Daily - A general GPS-related e-newsletter
- GPS
World - A general e-newsletter that contains
a section on "Avionics and Transportation"
- U.S.
Government GPS website developed by the National
Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
Coordination Office
- Portion
of FAA website addressing navigation services
and issues, including GPS
- The FAA's
Surveillance and Broadcast Services (ADS-B)
program office
- EGNOS
resource and newsletter from the European Space
Agency (ESA)
- Airspace and navigation resource
from EUROCONTROL
- Projects
and initiatives of Airservices Australia, including
efforts towards ADS-B and GBAS
- FAA-sponsored home page for
RTCA's ADS-B
support effort (via committee SC-186 and its working
groups)
Associates
- HAI
- Helicopter Association International
- AEA
- Aircraft Electronics Association
- ALEA
- Airborne Law Enforcement Association
- NBAA
- National Business Aviation Association
- AOPA
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- ATA
- Air Transport Association
Aviation News
Partners
OEM Customers
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