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12/22/2024 02:36:22 pm

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Military Test Could Affect Business GPS Data in Southern California: FAA

GPS

(Photo : Reuters) The FAA has warned that the US Navy is testing a technology which would affect GPS readings of airplanes in parts of Southern California.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a statement warning pilots that a GPS test being conducted by the military might have adverse effects on real-time GPS data. The FAA added that pilots might experience "unreliable or unavailable" signals, especially those in the West Coast.

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The GPS test, which began on Tuesday, is being conducted in Southern California. The FAA warned that specific kinds of business jets might experience inaccuracies in flight controls. The federal agency added that the test will not affect commercial airliners.

To prevent accidents from happening due to the GPS testing, air-traffic controllers will keep a steady eye on airplanes within the warning area that register any flight abnormalities. The agency also adviced pilots that if they hear radio transmissions about strange GPS signals in a specific area, they are allowed to adjust altitude or navigate around the said area just like they do when there is bad weather.

The current GPS test will be conducted in the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division located in China Lake, Calif. The testing could affect airplanes that are at least 50 feet off the ground with a radius exceeding hundreds of miles.

"This FAA flight advisory was issued in support of routine research, development, and test and evaluation efforts conducted at China Lake," the Navy said, according to USA Today. "We regularly coordinate with the FAA through a standardized national process for these types of tests, which have been conducted here for more than 25 years."

The China Lake base tests weapons and avionics used for tactical aircrafts. The facility covers 1.1 million acres.

The FAA alerts were released on Saturday. It contains specific warnings for the Embraer Phenom 300 aircraft, a type of executive jet. The FAA advised pilots of the said aircraft to avoid the testing area.

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