Subject: Re: WAAS in Northern Ontario Canada Newsgroups: SHAW:sci.geo.satellite-nav Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 00:26:17 -0800 Larry de March wrote in news:hOwM9.4357$7_.19169@news1.mts.net: [snip] > There are WAAS reference stations in Winnipeg, MB, Ottawa, ON and one > in Newfoundland > > Larry de March > Winnipeg Actually, that is not correct. The three reference stations you refer to are National Satellite Test Bed (NSTB) reference stations. Canada does not(yet) have WAAS reference stations. From http://gps.faa.gov/CapHill/satnavJuly01.htm#9 http://gps.faa.gov/CapHill/satnavJuly01.htm#10 ======================================================= In North America, we have been working with our counterparts in Canada and Mexico for several years on cooperation towards creating a North American satellite navigation system based on WAAS and LAAS technologies. In March of this year, we brought three Mexico National Satellite Test Bed (NSTB) reference stations on-line, and thus created a true North American WAAS test bed capability (Canada already has three NSTB reference stations). This newly formed architecture provides opportunities to conduct more advanced regional analyses on how a North American WAAS can come to fruition. ------------------------------------------------------- The NSTB prototype WAAS system is functionally similar to the WAAS and was used in the US for the WAAS proof-of-concept. The NSTB is now primarily used to collect data to support WAAS testing in the US and to support test efforts in areas outside the WAAS service volume. ------------------------------------------------------- Three NSTB reference stations were installed in Mexico (Mazatlán, Mexico City, and Mérida), and communications lines were provided by Mexico to send the data to the NSTB Master Station at the FAA Technical Center in Atlantic City. The Mexican reference station data was used along with 11 US and Canadian reference stations to generate the WAAS-like correction message, which was sent via the same communication line back to Mérida, where the corrections were broadcast to the aircraft in Mexico. ======================================================= From the minutes of the Satellite Operational Implementation Team Meeting, 9-13 Sept 2002: http://gps.faa.gov/Library/Data/Briefings/September2002/minutes.doc ====================================================== Pierre Duchaine Nav Canada Nav Canada has been conducting additional flight trials of WAAS, in particular near the Arctic Circle. Thus far, the findings have been favorable. Any decision to implement WAAS on a large scale will be dependent upon a business case that justifies the associated expense. Stanford University is participating with them in the development and review of the business case, but there are no initial findings yet. The collection of arctic data is part of their Satellite Operational Optimization Project (SOOP). The primary objective is to collect containment data to support development of RNP certification for older aircraft. Arctic LAAS sites are a possibility, but there has not been a final decision. Canada uses Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC) as a means of establishing operating rules for GPS. There will be a new GPS AIC with two approvals. First will be a general approval for WAAS receivers. Second will be the acceptance of GPS-only airfield as a suitable alternate. A GPS-only alternate will require that the planned destination has a usable traditional approach, and that pilots “be aware” of the GPS constellation before flight. Their risk management group determined that, unless there were two simultaneous satellite outages, the probability of not having approach-level RAIM was highly unlikely. Nav Canada has been conducting LAAS flight trials at the Tech Center with Challenger and Citation aircraft. Upon upgrade of their MMR, they will be supporting WAAS OT&E. Any decision to implement WAAS in Canada will be dependent upon a business case that justifies the associated expense versus customer benefits. Stanford University's WAAS model is being used to assess numbers and locations of potential WRS in Canada. ======================================================