AOPA and FAA express concern over FCC satellite proposal
January 25, 2011, 04:41 pm
Both the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Federal Aviation Association have spoken out against the Federal Communications Commission's proposal to expand the radio space available for mobile satellite signals, according to the AOPA.
The groups are concerned that the FCC has not fully investigated the potential interference the expansion could cause by conflicting with GPS and other aviation satellites necessary for safe flying. "Due to the extensive reliance on GPS by the general aviation community, any interference source is perceived as a safety threat," said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA's senior vice president of government affairs.
AOPA is also concerned with the possibility that one company that has requested expanded broadband space may be approved before the aviation community has a chance to come together and assess the extent of the hazards which may exist as a result of the company's new satellite. Along with the FAA, they are urging the FCC to put a hold on any subsequent approvals until they have looked into how the changes will affect pilots and can prove that the new satellite will not interfere with the "safety-of-life functions" of aircrafts.
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