A Compliance Strategy for Use of GPS for IFR Navigation in the E-2C Hawkeye

Naval aviation is on the brink of taking advantage of a 12 year old capability. Naval commercial derivative aircraft have had the ability to navigate in instrument meteorological conditions using global positioning technology for nearly as long as civil commercial-for-hire aircraft. However, tactical naval aircraft, like the E-2C Hawkeye, are now only beginning to obtain and install the necessary technology to meet federal aviation regulations for satellite based area navigation. Worldwide airspace controlling agencies have mandated the use of navigation equipment that meets highly specific performance standards prior to entry in required navigation performance airspace. Aircraft not compliant with these standards are denied flight clearance or experience clearance delays. The Department of Defense has issued policy guidance that allows military aviation organizations to self-certify satellite based navigation technologies to meet required navigation performance standards. In many ways, military navigation technologies far exceed the performance requirements for civil and international airspace use. These technologies, however, are highly specific in their mission orientation and must demonstrate their compatibility with civil aviation standards. This study focused on the source and the specifics of navigation performance requirements. Domestic and international regulations and policies were reviewed as they pertain to civil aviation, and then applied to military aviation. Critical technical standards documents