Gps Ifr Certification
What Makes a GPS Navigation System “IFR Approved”?
I heard it had to be permanently mounted, it must acquire a certain number of satellites and have barometric altimeter encoded in. What’s the real deal on IFR certification requirements for primary navigation with GPS? What prevents a portable from ever becoming instrument certified?
In the US the FAA uses two specifications for IFR GPS installations they are covered by a technical standard order, TSO C129 (A1) and TSO C129 (A2). A1 being en route, terminal and non-precision approach-certified (A2) drops the approach ability. Those TSO’s have specific installed requirements and tests. You simply can’t meet those requirements with a portable unit, RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) is one area where portables have issues among others.
Even the remote altimeter requires wiring as does the required remote display head (CDI) and soon you have so many wires that HAVE TO CONNECT there is no easy quick way to have the unit still portable.
You can read the TSO at http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgTSO.nsf/0/e560cd9c6acf8ba186256dc700717e0f/$FILE/C129a.pdf
With the costs of getting a unit approved under those orders, which is not insignificant, there are no portables that have done it nor is there a good reason for the manufacturer to do it and accept the liability involved.
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