Space Weather Effects on Aircraft Navigation: A Pilot's Perspective

Many aircraft today use satellites for GPS navigation, arrival and departure to and from airspaces, and for “shooting” non-precision and precision instrument approaches into airports. Due to the general, commercial, and military aviation industries all becoming more and more reliant on satellite and GPS technologies, the effects of space weather events on these systems is of paramount concern to militaries, airlines, private pilots, and other aviation operators. However, traditional radio-based means of navigation are also affected. Analyzing and publishing data recorded about effects on satellites, GPS systems, and radio navigation networks as well as discovering how and why technologies are affected are crucial to the conduct of safe flight operations now and improving systems for future use.