EANS updates alternative solution to GPS communication solution
To ensure better air traffic safety, the Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS) is updating the navigation network and introduced additional Distance Measuring Equipments (DME). This is an alternative to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which includes GPS among others.
"Five new ground-based DMEs have been installed all over Estonia, which enable the pilots to pinpoint their location even when there is no communication with the GNSS," said Ivar Värk, CEO of Estonian Air Navigation Services. "This is an important step forward in terms of flight safety, creating the opportunity to choose between several different alternatives."
Ground-based DMEs help pilots navigate thanks to information received from devices that tell them how far they are from various navigation beacons. "Essentially, the DME enables the aircraft to calculate its exact flight position by using the distance between a minimum of two location points," said Värk.
"Overflying airplanes will be the primary beneficiary of these devices, but it will also benefit pilots who fly above three kilometres and whose aircraft has the relevant equipment."
Pilots predominantly use information received from the GNSS signals for navigation, but recently the interference of the GPS signals has become more frequent and in such cases the DME are useful in pinpointing the position of the aircraft. Unlike GNSS, a ground-based network is less sensitive to interference.
The change means that the coverage of DME have been expanded across Estonia. The new DME devices are located in mobile operators' equipment rooms and masts in Lääne, Lääne-Viru, Saare, Jõgeva and Viljandi counties. Before, they were only located in Tallinn and Kuressaare.
The change is linked to the renewal of the entire aviation background system, and this applies to the rest of Europe as well.
The equipment is manufactured by Thales and installed on-site by Instigo Eesti.