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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsiFly Owners Q&AiFly Owners Q&AWAAS and altitude accuracy on the iFlyWAAS and altitude accuracy on the iFly
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3/26/2013 1:40 PM
 

When the iFly is WAAS enabled, what impact does that have on the accuracy of the altitude reading over what it is today? How about other readings such as track and GS?

 
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3/26/2013 1:53 PM
 

Just my thought ----- WAAS enabled GPS navigators, such as the Garmin 430 allow ILS-"like" approaches with verticle guidance to as low as 250 AGL --- so, I would think altitude readouts should be "right on".

 
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3/26/2013 3:40 PM
 

WAAS improves accuracy by compensating for large scale errors in the GPS system. For example, if a satellite is off course, or if there is a big storm in the ionosphere, these affect the accuracy of a position lock in a predictable way. The WAAS satellite provides information that the GPS uses to correct and negate these errors.

But WAAS does not help errors that can come from other sources. For example, if you only have a small quantity of satellites visible, or if there is local or cockpit interference, or if you have a week signal because you are not using an external antenna, all these things affect accuracy.

So it's very hard to assign specific number to a question like this. Bottom line, WAAS makes it better but it's not a guarantee of accuracy. You need to factor the signal strength. And even with full bars I wouldn't fly a precision approach with a hand held unit - you really need an externally mounted and professionally calibrated GPS antenna to ensure accuracy.

-Walter


Walter Boyd
President, Adventure Pilot
 
New Post
3/26/2013 9:27 PM
 
Are you advocating the use of the external antenna? Up to the release that had the altitude alerting I like the fact that I do not need the external antenna (and associated wiring) to work in both my Grumman and Cessna. I have it mounted on the yoke, so additional wiring would be a hassle. Since I am only VFR, I suppose the easy answer is to turn off the altitude alerting.
 
New Post
3/27/2013 9:30 AM
 

No, an external antenna is not required or advocated. It will generally improve GPS reception, but this is not important for all situations.


Walter Boyd
President, Adventure Pilot
 
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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsiFly Owners Q&AiFly Owners Q&AWAAS and altitude accuracy on the iFlyWAAS and altitude accuracy on the iFly