Article: Civilian Pilots Allowed to Use Satellite Navigational System - New York Times

The Federal Aviation Administration today authorized civilian pilots here and abroad to use a satellite-based navigation system that will enable them to choose direct routes without relying on navigational aids on the ground.The system's electronic signals will also enable the airlines and private aircraft to land at 2,500 airports lacking the electronic beacons that the biggest airports use to guide airplanes in landing. The system, the Global Positioning System, uses a network of 24 satellites orbiting 11,000 miles above the Earth. Each satellite sends out a continuous signal that can be computed by receivers to determine an exact position. The system was developed by the Defense ...

Read all of this article (available on a partner's Web site)

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!