Global Navigation Satellite System outage leading to navigation/surveillance degradation
Effectivity: Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft
ATA: 34-55
By: Stephane Beauchamp – Technical Services In April 2022, we published an article describing how Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) outages can lead to navigation and surveillance degradation. Recently, EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) released a revision to its Safety Information Bulletin No. 2022-02. This Revision 1 provides an update on affected areas, based on EASA analysis of data from a network of analysts and open source, as well as updated recommendations.
Specifically, it details the effects of GNSS jamming and/or possible spoofing, which has intensified in recent months near conflict zones and other areas. GNSS jamming and/or possible spoofing were observed by aircraft in various phases of flight, sometimes leading to re-routing or even to destination changes due to the inability to perform a safe landing procedure.
EASA’s SIB provides a non-exhaustive list of some potential issues that could be generated by a degradation of GNSS signal. Additionally, it provides national aviation authorities (NAAs), air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and air operators with recommendations, noting that these are information-only and not mandatory.
All concerned parties are reminded of their obligation to report any event impacting safety, according to Regulation (EU) No. 376/2014.
For details on SIB No. 2022-02R1, refer to: https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2022-02R1.
Operators may also refer to an earlier article, “Global navigational satellite system: Interference, signal loss or jamming,” published in Bombardier’s Forum newsletter on May 21, 2020, Volume 17/Issue 10 located on the Customer Portal.
Furthermore, flight crews should also be familiar with Flight Operation Notifications (FON); GNSS Outage due to Signal Degradation or Jamming with Associated FDE, found within the technical publication flight manuals section. More specifically, reference AVNC−030 for Global aircraft and AVNC-005 for the Challenger series.