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mrngldtoday at 11:53 AM8 repliesview on HN

When I used to fly in Florida in the 2005-2015ish timeframe, NOTAMs for GPS interference (it didn't say that exactly but that's what it meant) were an everyday occurrence along my path, it became boilerplate. I experienced it a few times. One moment the GPS thinks you're plodding along next to Ocala, next moment it thinks I've teleported a thousand miles away, and then it'd just quit.

But that's what we train for. That's why aircraft and pilots have redundancy to work around any single possible point of failure and why you practice it until it becomes natural. Because of the NOTAM I'd already have a VOR tuned in, and once the GPS went inop I just fine tuned it to get a radial fix on the VOR. Also tried to never lose my bearings with my MK I Eyeballs either. No big deal.

I feel bad for everyone that lost their lives here, but this is why competence is critical. There's a litany of errors the pilots made. And the article tries to pin a bit on the controller, but no, ultimate responsibility is on the pilot in command, FAR/AIM is clear on that.

If these allegedly instrument rated pilots had been properly drilled by their CFI's and properly grilled during reviews and such this should've been an easy flight.

Also, "just ask Kennedy". Wired bringing that into the conversation is perhaps relevant but not in the way I think they intended. JFK Jr lacked basic airmanship skills. His aircraft was 100% functional until the moment it impacted the ocean.

Some professions simply can't be go-along-to-get-along social clubs. Safety culture centered on competence and performance is key.


Replies

alistairSHtoday at 6:48 PM

You're not wrong, but that doesn't necessarily mean Uncle Sam should be dicking around with GPS jammers as a normal thing (at least not without acknowledging that doing so changes the risk profile of aviation to some extent).

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idlewordstoday at 6:05 PM

The highest mountain summit in Florida is 105 meters above sea level.

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rbanffytoday at 12:19 PM

I guess GPS jamming was not routine for them. Had they been aware of any NOTAM regarding GPS interference, they'd be prepared, and, like you said, would have VOR setup prior to leaving the ground.

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dingalingtoday at 3:58 PM

> No big deal.

Sure, if it's obvious it's happening, like GPS being completely knocked-out.

If it's a GPS spoofing nudge by a few dozen metres per minute, then it's not so obvious. Enough to make a OWA drone miss its target, while also not being easily noticed by pilots.

mplewistoday at 7:04 PM

What do you think Florida terrain is like in comparison to New Mexico?

jatoratoday at 12:26 PM

Some of the replies you're getting are ridiculous lol. Anyways thanks for your insight.

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colechristensentoday at 12:05 PM

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malfisttoday at 12:13 PM

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