On 27 Jan 2004 09:26:25 -0800 (Ingo K?hne) wrote:

Hello

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?


One of the biggest problems with GPS is that the signal is very weak and
because of that it is easily jammed. Loran-C is still around and not going
away soon. In fact the improvements in technology are giving Loran-C an
extended life. One reason for keeping Loran-C is because of the
vulnerability of GPS. So any navaids that are working now are not going
to go away soon.

We will probably see more ground-based augmentation of GPS as well.
(see differential GPS)

R. Hubbell