We will be going to a GPS based system. Alaska has tried this system
under the Capstone name. Basically you will broadcast to ATC your
position and ATC will use that information just as they use the radar
information today.



Roy Smith wrote:
wrote:

The bean counters want to do away with primary radars, too. But, so
far, the security-minded have stopped that planning.


What does it mean to "do away with primary radar"? The antennae are
co-located and the systems are already built. What money would be saved by
turning the primary part of the system off? It's not even like they rotate
on different shafts so you can save a little on lubricating the bearings or
powering down the motor that makes it go round and round.

Anyway, if we turn off the primary radar, we'll only be able to see things
that want to be seen. The libertarian in me likes that idea, but I'm
enough of a realist to understand that the people intent on blowing things
up are probably smart enough to turn their transponders off.