Be a Smart Pilot – Use GPS
by: burymes
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Amelia Earhart had enough technology to make it approximately 22,000 miles of her 29,000 mile around the world trip. She would have managed to find and land on Howland Island in the mid-Pacific Ocean in July of 1937 if she had been given access to GPS (Global Positioning System).
Nowadays, intelligent pilots make good use of the very same GPS that people use on the trail, in their cars, and on boats. The newest wireless phone models today are equipped with GPS as well.
The Global Positioning System was developed in the 1970's by The United States Department of Defense and was officially called NAVSTAR GPS. Initially, this technology was used by the military. Korean Air Lines flight 007 was gunned down for drifting into Soviet airspace in 1983. There were two hundred and sixty-nine passengers killed.
After this, President Ronald Regan issued a directive that the Global Positioning System would be available to civilians at no cost after it was completed.
There are three components to the Global Positioning System: a collection of at least 24 earth orbiting satellites transmitting precise microwave signals, stations on earth for monitoring and control, and receivers. Every receiver obtains signals from satellites that broadcast accurate three-dimensional locations of latitude, longitude, and altitude, and also time. The Global Positioning System, not only provides reliable positioning and navigation, but also provides timing services for civilian users.
Since it's useful for both military and civilian needs, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are considered to be a duel technology. The United States government sets limitations on exported civilian GPS receivers in order to keep their adversaries from using the GPS guidance mechanisms for military use.
Absolute location, relative movement, and time transfer are the three basic components of the GPS. Absolute location is useful in surveying and navigation. Many industries find time, the fourth element in GPS, is increasing in importance for their business. Improved accuracy of time data for GPS signals is produced through various atomic clocks within each global positioning satellite. As amazing as it sounds, modern technology allows us to calculate time within 100 billionths of a second. Examples of where this precise time calibration is useful in industry include communications systems, power grids, and financial networks. Audio and video data is controlled and multi-camera sequencing is done by Hollywood studios with the help of the GPS time component.
GPS has had a great positive impact on aviation. This is because the Global Positioning System is able to supply accurate data and information for all of the different phases of flight. It has allowed for the establishment of flexible, fuel efficient routes for airspace users. GPS has enabled a lower minimum separation between aircraft, which has improved air traffic management and reduced delays.
Yes the benefits of having a GPS system on your plane greatly exceed the monetary cost of the device; it is unwise for any pilot to pilot an aircraft without access to GPS. If you find a great deal on eBay, you must first weigh the risks. It would be sensible to make your purchase from a trustworthy dealer that has thorough comprehension of aircraft and aviation industry.
About the Author
James Bunter is almost constantly in the air, using his aviation GPS everyday as a way of life. He gets his aircraft avionics at TGH Aviation Supply, knowing that he will receive excellent products and good advice from their avionics experts. From altimeters to aircraft instrument repair, James always shops at TGH Aviation.
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