Airports and State Advocacy
GPS testing in New Mexico prompts FAA flight advisory
The FAA has issued a flight advisory for potentially unreliable GPS signals in the vicinity of Truth or Consequences, N.M., on certain days between May 23 and July 1.
During testing GPS signals may be unreliable or unavailable within a 320-nautical-mile radius centered at 323652N/1061722W, or the BWS VOR at 230.5-degree radial at 19 nm at Flight Level 400. The area will decrease in radius with a decrease in altitude, affecting a 265-nm radius at Flight Level 250, 185-nm radius at 10,000 feet msl, 190-nm radius at 4,000 feet agl, and 155-nm radius at 50 feet agl.
Pilots are encouraged to report anomalies to the appropriate air route traffic control center to help determine the extent of signal degradation. Please share your reports with AOPA.
Notams will be published at least 24 hours in advance of tests, but may change with little or no notice. Pilots are encouraged to check notams frequently for changes to operations in the area. Tests will be conducted during the entirety of stated times, the FAA said.
For the list of scheduled testing dates and times, see the flight advisory.
May 20, 2011
