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A DME/DME RNAV Future?

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • High-end aircraft Flight Management Systems (FMS) achieve resilience against GPS outages by integrating multiple navigation sensors, such as DME, VOR, and Inertial Reference Systems, a capability typically absent in general aviation aircraft.
  • The FAA's Minimum Operating Network (MON) is designed for general aviation to provide a backup navigation method during GPS failures, as these aircraft often rely solely on GPS.
  • Future advancements could enhance general aviation navigation through more affordable multi-sensor FMS or multi-frequency, multi-constellation satellite receivers, offering greater resilience to jamming and hacking.
  • MON serves as a crucial, current plan for general aviation using existing equipment, anticipating that advanced, more resilient navigation technologies are still years away from widespread availability and certification.
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The FAA’s Minimum Operating Network (MON) focuses on serving general aviation. Why? How will the airlines and heavy corporate birds survive a significant GPS outage, and why can’t we have that same resiliency?

To answer that question, we need to start by exploring how the “airlines and heavy corporate birds” navigate. But, before we go any further, note that this is a theoretical discussion and tech exploration; we’re not aware of any particular plans to move in this direction, or of any plans to exclude the possibilities explored here. We’re merely exploring how things could work.

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