Several States In The Southwest Will Be Affected

The FAA has released a notice that it will be testing GPS satellites from 0300-0700 UTC Saturday (1900-2300 PST Friday), which the agency says may result in unreliable or unavailable GPS signal. The test area will be centered at 373613N/1163535W or the TPH VOR 140.7 degree radial at 33.1NM. The tests will be conducted throughout the stated period.

The FAA says during testing, the GPS signal may be unreliable or unavailable within an area centered at 373613N/1163535W or the TPH VOR 140.7 degree radial at 33.1NM out to a distance of 288NM at FL400, decreasing in area with a decrease in altitude to an area with a radius of 222NM at FL250, an area with a radius of 151NM at 10,000FT MSL and an area with a radius of 133NM at 4,000FT AGL.

Any aircraft unable to navigate due to loss of GPS is requested to advise ATC for additional assistance. Pilots should report anomalies during testing to the appropriate ATC Facility to assist in the determination of the extent of GPS degradation during tests. Include the following information during anomaly reporting: aircraft call sign and type, location, altitude, date and time of occurrence and remarks (ie. how testing impacted aircraft navigation, etc).

The NOTAMs discussed in this advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area. NOTAMs will be published at least 72 hours in advance of any GPS tests. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operating in the area.

FMI: www.faa.gov