West Coast LORAN-C Flight Test

A flight test program was flown within the coverage area of the West Coast Loran-C chain during June and July 1979. The purpose of the test was to add to the growing statistical data base that will be used to assess Loran-C as a supplement to, or replacement for, the present VOR/DME navigation syste...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Scalise,Thomas E, Bolz,Eric H, McConkey,Edwin D
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ACCURACY
Approach procedures
BIAS
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE PROPAGATION
ERRORS
FLIGHT TESTING
FTE(Flight Technical Error)
Grid warp
LORAN
Nonprecision approach
Radiofrequency Wave Propagation
Time difference
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Description
Summary:A flight test program was flown within the coverage area of the West Coast Loran-C chain during June and July 1979. The purpose of the test was to add to the growing statistical data base that will be used to assess Loran-C as a supplement to, or replacement for, the present VOR/DME navigation system. The test objectives were to: (1) Evaluate the West Coast Loran-C chain by quantifying navigation and position errors within its coverage area; (2) Test Loran-C as a non-precision approach aid in mountainous conditions, using a commercially available Loran-C receiver/navigator, in this case a Teledyne TDL-711; (3) Record the effects of bias shifts and station outages on overall accuracy and approach procedures, especially near a baseline extension; (4) Calculate the absolute flight technical error (FTE) during Loran-C approaches using a typical general aviation aircraft. The main conclusions of the test were: The West Coast Loran-C chain appears stable and dependable. Time difference errors were consistent and related to signal propagation differences over land and over water; TDL-711 was found to be easy to operate, giving stable and repeatable course guidance, although susceptible to random loss of track, a problem which may be software related. The system did not accurately calculate cross track deviation and distance to waypoint. Without needed hardware, software, and/or procedural changes, Loran-C may not meet the RNAV non-precision approach requirements of AC 90-45A.