: indeed - in addition, the capstone project (ADS-B) in Alaska (used
: prominently by commercial ops) requires GPS data to operate.

I recall after moving to Juneau in 1992 that the local news was touting AK
airlines as being the first to test the GPS approaches. Didn't understand really what
that meant at the time, but given the weather there and the huge percentage of missed
approaches, I can understand why it made financial sense to blaze trail. It is truly
about the worst kind of terrain and weather available.

First time I flew it was two years ago. I expected to be coming in from the
west as always, but nothing looked right back in the passenger compartment when we
finally broke out at about 400' AGL/MSL.... including what seemed like a 30 degree
bank! Anyway, impressive when one's not expecting it.

-Cory

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* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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