Finnish carrier suspends Estonia flights after GPS interference prevents 2 landings

lnxtx , 1 month ago

Is GPS essential for commercial aviation?

Wilshire OP , 1 month ago

“Most airports use alternative approach methods, but some airports, such as Tartu, only use methods that require a GPS signal to support them,” said Jari Paajanen, Finnair’s director of operations.

TWeaK , 1 month ago

It’s widely used, but yeah I’m surprised that they’re claiming it’s essential for landings. I though ILS used beacons at the airport, with other beacons for the approach.

Edit: ah, OK, this is why:

“Most airports use alternative approach methods, but some airports, such as Tartu, only use methods that require a GPS signal to support them,” said Jari Paajanen, Finnair’s director of operations.

Hildegarde , 1 month ago

This airport is small. It is only serviced by one commercial flight to one other airport. There are systems that allow for precision landings during poor visibility without GPS, but they are expensive so airports of this size often don’t have them.

Large airports use the Instrument Landing System, which are radio antennas built near the runway which broadcast radio beams along the approach path so the plane can land using their radios even in near zero visibility.

GPS based approaches are often used in small airports because they are much cheaper to use than radio based systems. Airplanes can land visually if conditions are right, but if GPS is needed for the only instrument approach for this airport and the weather isn’t clear, they have to divert.

AmidFuror , 1 month ago

They just need John McClain to light some jet fuel tracks down the length of the runway.

Hildegarde , 1 month ago

Sadly, the ILS has replaced the JMLS because it’s more reliable.