FAA PROPOSES CANCELLING CERTAIN NDB AND VOR APPROACHES
On August 2, 2013, the FAA announced that it is considering discontinuing certain Non-directional Beacon (NDB) and Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional radio Range (VOR) instrument approach procedures (IAP) at airports that have multiple types of instrument approach procedures. The FAA is proposing criteria for cancellation of individual approaches due to the expense of
maintaining these systems whereas there is wide availability and capability of area navigation (RNAV) approach procedures that provide far greater precision than NDB and VOR. At a minimum,airports with existing RNAV and ground-based approaches would maintain at least one RNAV and one ground-based approach.
Airports that would be considered for NDB or VOR IAP cancellation include:
- Airports with an NDB IAP.
- Airports with a VOR/DME RNAV IAP, unless it is the only IAP at the airport.
- Airports with two of more ground-based IAPs and an RNAV IAP.
- Airports with multiple, redundant ground-based IAPs (for instance, three VOR procedures).
The FAA is taking comments on its proposed cancellation criteria until October 1, 2013.
If you have any questions or would like further information regarding this proposal, please contact our office.