On Wed, 28 Jan 2004, J=FCrgen Exner wrote:

Ingo K?hne wrote:
I am not a real pilot, just interested in aviation and simulation. My
question is if the GPS with all its accuracy and worldwide
availability will soon replace all other navaids for IFR. So a little
provocative: who needs VORs and NDBs anymore?

You cannot solely rely on a single navigation aid system, in particular i=
f
it is controlled by the military.

Add to that that for non-Americans, GPS is controlled by a *foreign*
military. Decommisioning surface nav in favour of foreign-controlled GPS
is not something even friendly governments will do lightly. Hence the EU's
proposed (in progress?) parallel GPS network, as well.

The other major reason is that there are lots and lots of older aircraft
(private and commercial) that still rely on the surface nav for their
primary or only navigation insturments. Aviation GPS is not a cheap
upgrade for older but still servicable planes...

Brian.