FAA announces GPS interference in Southeast U.S.

GPS testing conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration may result in an unreliable or unavailable GPS signal. The event is described in a flight advisory that was released by the FAA on January 13. 

GPS, among other services, could be affected for up to “400 nautical miles at Flight Level 400, down to a radius of 180 nm at 50 feet above the ground”, according to the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association. 

The testing will span between Jan. 16, 2020 and Jan. 24, 2020 and is likely to affect GPS in or around Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. 

Per the AOPA, events such as these have affected pilots across the country, and they’ve continuously advocated for “officials to place more focus on efforts to address the well-documented safety concerns raised by such events.”

While the testing is more likely to affect pilots that are flying in the aforementioned areas, it may also create some issues on the ground. In case of a faulty GPS, truckers should make sure that they’re carrying a physical map.

Yes, maps may be old school and perhaps even obsolete when you have a smartphone, but they can still be extremely useful for situations like these. Considering how unreliable different technologies can be, having a physical map at your disposal can be a lifesaver in certain situations. 

For some younger drivers that may not be well acquainted with using maps, now may be a good time to get to know them! If you need help learning how to read that pesky piece of paper, you can find some useful information online (ironic, I know).

So, do you prefer to use a map or your phone’s GPS? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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