Introduction
to WAAS: The Wide Area Augmentation System
The Wide Area Augmentation System
(WAAS) is a GPS-based navigation and landing system
that provides precision guidance to aircraft at thousands
of airports and airstrips where there is currently
no precision landing capability. Systems such as WAAS
are known as satellite-based augmentation systems
(SBAS). WAAS is designed to improve the accuracy and
ensure the integrity of information coming from GPS
satellites. The FAA is using WAAS to provide a Lateral
Navigation/Vertical Navigation (LNAV/VNAV) capability
with commissioning in 2003. Concurrently, the FAA
will evaluate the approach to achieve Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) Landing System (GLS) capability
in later years. WAAS testing in September 2002 confirmed
accuracy performance of 1 – 2 meters horizontal
and 2 –3 meters vertical throughout the majority
of the continental U.S. and portions of Alaska.
Next:
How WAAS Works
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