Multiple VOR approaches retired in Wichita.

[Desert Rat]

This isn't a sky is falling situation, but I think it's still noteworthy. For decades, there have been circle to land VOR approaches into Augusta KS (3AU) and the Beechcraft factory (KBEC) that are based on radials off of the Wichita VOR. As of the latest chart update, these approaches have been retired, leaving only GPS based approaches at both airports.

The only reason I can see for deleting those approaches is in preparation for the eventual decommissioning of the Wichita VOR.

We've all known for years that it was coming, but frankly, it seemed kinda abstract to me when I was envisioning it as a shutdown of lonely enroute VORs out in the boonies. Now that it's in my back yard I find that it makes me kinda sad.

 

[skirting_virga]

As someone who is about to build an IFR panel without any nav radio, I agree with you and wish the FAA committed to maintaining more VORs. Having previously attempted some light IFR in a plane with no approach-capable GPS and one nav radio, I was surprised in flight to find one of the VORs down on short notice. I'm sure it was buried in the NOTAMs somewhere I never noticed, but the outage was also after I briefed my flight. I was VFR on top and it didn't amount to anything, but I was annoyed that they don't do a better job of keeping the ground-based navaid infrastructure running. The approach controllers also refused to give me the only ILS at a local airport because it was opposite their preferred direction of traffic (dictated by noise abatement, not winds - yes this was in CA). RNAV or you're SOL.

It's telling that I basically can't find a nav radio with DME, and almost nobody sells an ADF except some high end heli or jet equipment. The world has seemingly fully committed to GPS-based DME and handwaved away the prospect of GPS jamming or spoofing.

Now I should still have a nav radio for vectors to an ILS, but it would have added 5k to the panel.

 

[DCBrown198]

I have no VHF NAV radio in my -10, and have never missed it.

GLS, using GBAS (Ground-Based Augmentation System) will replace ILS as well. Being installed at airports now. Very versatile with a much smaller cost to airports. One system installation can support multiple precision approaches at the same airport. Provides same (or tighter) accuracy than ILS.

 

[BobTurner]

It's telling that I basically can't find a nav radio with DME, and almost nobody sells an ADF except some high end heli or jet equipment. The world has seemingly fully committed to GPS-based DME and handwaved away the prospect of GPS jamming or spoofing.

Now I should still have a nav radio for vectors to an ILS, but it would have added 5k to the panel.

With the disappearance of VORs It seems to me that half of the ILS approaches now require a DME (or GPS in lieu of). NDB approaches are so rare they’re not even on the ifr flight test.

All that said, I do have an SL30 and because the SL30 can simultaneously bring in an ILS and a VOR cross fix I have a useable backup (ksck) not too far from home (klvk) in case gps goes TU. It is also true that I witnessed a gps outage just as the pilot got to the LNAV MDA. It was vfr, but would have been exciting if IMC.

 

[skirting_virga]

All that said, I do have an SL30 and because the SL30 can simultaneously bring in an ILS and a VOR cross fix

This is exactly how I made it work with one nav radio in that situation. Great for an old box.

 

[Clayvt]

A prime example of why I'm putting a NAV radio in my 7 is because where I'm at, 13NM away from White Sands Missile Range GPS jamming is a random and often event. It may be a factor in an aeromedical kingair crash we had last week in the area.
I've read they will keep a bare minimum of VOR's running, but I think going all in on GPS without some form of back-up terrestrial transmitters for navigation or approaches to supplement is fool hardy.

 

[Thermos]

I've read they will keep a bare minimum of VOR's running, but I think going all in on GPS without some form of back-up terrestrial transmitters for navigation or approaches to supplement is fool hardy.

It's the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) and it's intended to provide enough CONUS VOR coverage at 5,000' AGL to get an IFR user to an ILS-equipped airport in the event of a large-scale GPS outage.

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/fli...media/Presentations/23-01-VOR-MON-Program.pdf

ds

 

[skirting_virga]

It's the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) and it's intended to provide enough CONUS VOR coverage at 5,000' AGL to get an IFR user to an ILS-equipped airport in the event of a large-scale GPS outage.

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/fli...media/Presentations/23-01-VOR-MON-Program.pdf

ds

Yes, except that the FAA seems to violate it's own list of MON VORs. Two local ones are not monitored despite being on the MON. I've seen outages and U/S NOTAMs before on the MON that cast doubt on their intention or ability to maintain it.