LORAN-C in Mountainous Areas. Phase I. Vermont Tests

摘要

Flight tests were conducted in the State of Vermont to determine the suitability of long range navigation (LORAN)-C for airborne area navigation (RNAV) operations in mountainous areas. A production receiver, the Teledyne TDL-711, and a ground-based multi-distance measuring equipment (DME) reference system were used to obtain accuracy statistics during en route flights and nonprecision approaches to four airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accuracy criteria (Advisory Circular AC 90-45A) were met for both nonprecision approaches and en route flights when the primary triad (Seneca, Caribou, Nantucket) was used and when no automatic triad switches occurred during the flight. The mean value of the LORAN-C grid bias for the primary triad was generally 0.1 nautical miles (nmi) or less at each of the four airports; however, the bias for the alternate triad (Seneca, Nantucket, Carolina Beach) was significant (1.9 nmi north and 0.5 nmi east at Burlington Airport. (Author)