Ensuring the safety, resiliency, and operational efficiency of the National Airspace System for all users through rapid modernization of all essential Ground-Based Navigation, Lighting Systems and Infrastructure.
Our Concerns
Chronic under-investment over the last 20 years threatens the performance and reliability of aging ground-based air traffic control systems, nearly all of which are operating well beyond life expectancy. These systems, based on 1970’s era technology, include a network of over 2,700 navigation and landing systems and 600 radar systems, at more than 1,500 sites across all 50 states.
Urgency
The FAA recognizes the issue, and planning is already underway to replace these aging systems. However, the pace of this activity is well below the threshold required – at current funding levels, it will take more than 100 years to modernize this infrastructure. It is important to understand that old electronic equipment is not sustainable indefinitely. Accelerating rates of component failures combined with parts obsolescence creates the risk of a cascade of field failures that will endanger NAS safety and affect the flying public. The Coalition is concerned that the aging infrastructure is well past its intended lifespan and will not be able to provide a safe, robust and resilient backbone to air traffic operations. While the FAA and other ANSPs around the world have recognized the continual need for ground-based navigation and lighting systems (at a minimum, backup to GNSS services), the FAA has not prioritized using modern, and less expensive technology to maintain systems.
The typical service life of navigational equipment is 20-25 years. More than 50% of all FAA NAVAIDs are over 30 years old!
DME56%
VOR95%
TACAN100%
LIGHTING SYSTEMS42%
ILS53%
SHELTERS & SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE75%
Happening Now
The latest news from Ground Based Infrastructure Coalition
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – Congressional Remarks
Following the enactment of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act into law, Representative Rick Larsen (WA 2nd) and Representative Sharice Davids (KS 3rd) - Chair and Vice-Chair of the House T&I Subcommittee on Aviation, respectively - submitted remarks for the Congressional record on December 9th.
On Monday, November 15th, President Biden will sign the landmark, Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The Infrastructure bill contains $25 Billion in funding for Aviation Infrastructure and...
It is not widely known that the US Military regularly jams GPS for testing purposes. This jamming can cause issues with commercial and private aircraft. The IEEE Spectrum investigated the...
The bipartisan group of senators working on an infrastructure bill released their framework Wednesday evening, putting forward a $1.2 trillion package. The group, which included 21 lawmakers as of Wednesday evening following...
The Ground Based Aviation Infrastructure Coalition is an informal alliance of companies within the Aviation and Aerospace industry that seeks the rapid modernization of the FAA’s aging Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure. Most of these legacy systems were installed more than 40 years ago, and provide safety critical functions which the aviation community relies upon every single day.
65% off all ILS systems in the USA are over 40 years old.
Following the enactment of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act into law, Representative Rick Larsen (WA 2nd) and Representative Sharice Davids (KS 3rd) - Chair and Vice-Chair of the House...
On Monday, November 15th, President Biden will sign the landmark, Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The Infrastructure bill contains $25 Billion in funding for Aviation Infrastructure and...