Stuck on the Tarmac: Satellite Navigation

摘要

For years, airlines have been frustrated with the U.S. government's slow progress in adopting a satellite-based navigation system for landings and takeoffs. Ground-based instruments aren't reliable in foul weather, causing flight delays and diversions that waste fuel. To hasten the switch-over, the Federal Avi- ation Administration in 2007 enlisted the private sector's help. So far, the FAA has designed only 251 satellite-basedprocedures (step-by-step instructions about a flight path, much like the directions a driver gets from a car GPS system), now available to all carriers; and Boeing and General Electric haveidesigned two. Thousands of routes need to be covered if all commercial airports are to switch to satellite-navigation. Only 74 of the 450 U.S. commercial airports have satellite-guided systems in place.