About us

We believe that by sharing personal experiences we gain insight and become better pilots. So we created this website where students, seasoned pilots, and everyone in-between can share their experiences with aviation in an easy to read, beautiful way. Our hope is that you will follow our site, read these heartfelt articles and continue to become the safest, most proficient pilot possible.

UPDATE: FAA Schedules 4 More Areas For GPS Interference Testing

Pilot adjusting GPS on instrument panel of Cessna 421 - FAA Schedules 2017 GPS Interference Testing advisories

5-22-17 – The GPS Interference Testing may lead to unreliable or unavailable GPS signals in the designated area during the testing.

The FAA has posted flight advisories for GPS Interference Testing  in the Fort Walton Beach, FL, area during dates between May 22 – May 26, 2017; the Bremerton, WA, area during dates between May 22 – June 22, 2017; the Barstow, CA, area during dates between May 24 – June 4, 2017; and the Las Vegas, NV, area during dates between May 23 – June 15, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

Fort Walton Beach, FL Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 303445N0864045W or the CEW VORTAC 183 degree radial at 15NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 22nd – 26th, 2017 – 1300Z – 1900Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (GAFC GPS 17-04) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 358NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 303445N0864045W (CEW 183015) FL400-UNL,
    • 317NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 261NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 224NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 196NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Bremerton, WA Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 474356N1224354W or the SEA VOR 301 degree radial at 25NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 22nd, 2017 – 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • May 23rd – 25th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z and 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • May 26th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and  0500Z – 0759Z
  • May 29th, 2017 – 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • May 30th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z
  • May 31st, 2017 – 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 1st – 2nd, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z and 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 3rd, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z
  • June 5th, 2017 – 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 6th – 9th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z and 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 10th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z
  • June 12th, 2017 – 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 13th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z
  • June 14th, 2017 – 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 15th – 16th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z and 1300Z – 1559Z and 1900Z – 2259Z
  • June 17th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z
  • June 19th, 2017 – 1300Z – 1459Z and 1900Z – 2229Z
  • June 20th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z and 2101Z – 2259Z
  • June 21st, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z and 1300Z – 1459Z and 2101Z – 2259Z
  • June 22nd, 2017 – 0100Z – 0229Z and 0500Z – 0759Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (FFC GPS 17-03) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADSB) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 240NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 474356N1224354W (SEA 301025) FL400-UNL,
    • 192NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 121NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 107NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 95NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Barstow, CA Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 352114N1163329W or the HEC VOR 340 degree radial at 34NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 24th, 2017 – 2130Z – 2359Z
  • May 26th, 2017 – 1730Z – 1830Z and 2230Z – 2359Z
  • May 27th, 2017 – 0001Z – 0030Z and 1630Z – 1830Z and 2230Z – 2359Z
  • May 28th – 31st, 2017 –0001Z – 0300Z and 1630Z – 1830Z and 2230Z – 2359Z
  • June 1st – 4th, 2017 – 2230Z – 2359Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (NTC GPS 17-16L) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 50NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 352114N1163329W (HEC 340034) FL400-UNL,
    • 50NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 46NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 44NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 48NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Las Vegas, NV Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 371934N1154249W or the BTY VOR 045 degree radial at 59NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 23rd, 2017 – 0300Z – 1200Z
  • May 24th – 26th, 2017 – 0430Z – 1200Z
  • June 1st, 2017 – 0430Z – 0700Z
  • June 3rd, 2017 – 0430Z – 0700Z
  • June 6th, 2017 – 0300Z – 1200Z
  • June 7th – 9th, 2017 – 0430Z – 1200Z
  • June 11th – 12th, 2017 – 0300Z – 1200Z
  • June 13th, 2017 – 0300Z – 1030Z
  • June 14th – 15th, 2017 – 0430Z – 1200Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (NTTR GPS 17-08) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 447NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 371934N1154249W (BTY 045059) FL400-UNL,
    • 383NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 292NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 269NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 224NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above areas during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisories for these May 2017 GPS interference testing events, with an area map graphic, click here for Fort Walton Beach, FL; click here for Bremerton, WA; click here for Barstow, CA; and click here for Las Vegas, NV.


UPDATE 5-19-17: FAA Schedules Fort Polk, El Paso, Alamogordo GPS Interference Testing

The FAA has posted flight advisories for GPS Interference Testing  in the Fort Polk, LA, area during dates between May 20 – May 24, 2017, the El Paso, TX, area during dates between May 20 – May 27, 2017, and the Alamogordo, NM, area during dates between May 21 – May 27, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

Fort Polk, LA Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 310535N/0930350W or the AEX VOR 250 degree radial at 31NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 20th – 24th, 2017 – 0001Z – 1000Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (FTPK GPS 17-28L) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 30NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 310535N0930350W (AEX 250031) FL400-UNL,
    • 31NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 31NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 31NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 23NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL.

El Paso, TX Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 321608N1060603W or the ELP VOR 011 degree radial at 29NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 20th – 25th, 2017 – 0300Z – 1600Z

NOTE: For this advisory, the header indicates that the testing will run from May 20 – May 27, though they list May 20 – May 25 under the dates and times, so it may run longer than indicated.

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (BLISS GPS 17-02) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 158NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 321608N 1060603W (ELP 011029) FL400-UNL,
    • 153NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 126NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 123NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 90NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Alamogordo, NM Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 332525N1062457W or the TCS VORTAC 070 degree radial at 44NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 21st – 27th, 2017 – 1830Z – 2230Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (WSMR GPS 17-07) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 283NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 332525N1062457W (TCS 070044) FL400-UNL,
    • 251NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 176NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 153NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 125NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above areas during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisories for these May 2017 GPS interference testing events, with an area map graphic, click here for Fort Polk, LA, click here for El Paso, TX, and click here for Alamogordo, NM.


UPDATE 5-17-17: FAA Schedules GPS Interference Testing For China Lake, CA Area

The FAA has posted a flight advisory for the China Lake, CA area GPS Interference Testing during dates between May 17 – May 22, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

China Lake, CA Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 360759N 1173215W or the BTY VOR 210 degree radial at 055 NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 17th – 20th, 2017 – 0430Z – 1330Z
  • May 21st – 22nd, 2017 – 0001Z – 1330Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (CHLK GPS 17-03) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE WITHIN A 209NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 360759N1173215W (BTY 210055) FL400-UNL,
    • 156NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 79NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 92NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 71NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above area during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisory for the China Lake, CA May 2017 GPS interference testing, with an area map graphic, click here.


UPDATE 5-12-17: FAA Schedules GPS Interference Testing For Fort Gordon, GA

The FAA has posted a flight advisory for the Fort Gordon, GA area GPS Interference Testing during dates between May 15 – May 19, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

Fort Gordon, GA Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 331946N 0821717W or the IRQ VOR 202 degree radial at 024 NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 15th – 18th, 2017 – 1100Z – 1500Z
  • May 19th, 2017 – 1200Z – 1900Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (FGOR GPS 17-31) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE WITHIN A 110NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 331946N0821717W (IRQ 202024) FL400-UNL,
    • 110NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 109NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 79NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 16NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above area during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisory for the Fort Gordon, GA May 2017 GPS interference testing, with an area map graphic, click here.


UPDATE 5-8-17: FAA Schedules GPS Interference Testing For Fort Walton Beach, FL

The FAA has posted a flight advisory for the Fort Walton Beach, FL area GPS Interference Testing during dates between May 9 – May 18, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

Fort Walton Beach, FL Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 303445N0864045W or the CEW VORTAC 183 degree radial at 15NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 9th – 12th, 2017 – 1500Z – 2000Z
  • May 15th – 18th, 2017 – 1500Z – 2000Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (GAFC GPS 17-03) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 251NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 303445N0864045W (CEW 183015) FL400-UNL,
    • 206NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 140NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 97NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 39NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above area during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisory for the Fort Walton Beach, FL May 2017 GPS interference testing, with an area map graphic, click here.


UPDATE 5-4-17: FAA Schedules GPS Interference Testing For Sierra Vista, AZ Area

The FAA has posted a flight advisory for the Sierra Vista, AZ area GPS Interference Testing during dates between May 3 – May 19, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

Sierra Vista, AZ Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 313906N1101558W or the TUS VORTAC 118 degree radial at 42NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 3rd – 5th, 2017 – 1830Z – 2230Z
  • May 8th – 12th, 2017 – 1830Z – 2230Z
  • May 15th – 19th, 2017 – 1830Z – 2230Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (FTHU GPS 17-01) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 41NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 313906N1101558W (TUS 118042) FL400-UNL,
    • 41NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 41NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 41NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 45NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above area during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisory for the Sierra Vista, AZ May 2017 GPS interference testing, with an area map graphic, click here.


UPDATE 5-1-17: FAA Schedules Fairbanks, AK GPS Interference Testing

The FAA has posted a flight advisory for the Fairbanks, AK area GPS Interference Testing during dates between May 1 – May 12, 2017. The testing will be happening during the time periods and around the area specified below. During the time that the testing is taking place, the FAA has said pilots may receive either an unreliable GPS signal or no GPS signal at all. And as with their past advisories, the FAA says that pilots should report anomalies “only when ATC assistance is required.

Fairbanks, AK Area – May 2017 GPS Interference Testing Advisory

Where’s the testing area?

The location is centered at 645447N1464448W or the FAI VOR 059 degree radial at 33NM.

What times and dates will the testing take place?

  • May 1st – 5th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0300Z and 1800Z – 2000Z
  • May 8th – 12th, 2017 – 0100Z – 0300Z and 1800Z – 2000Z

As they have in the past, the FAA is saying that the testing may last the entire outlined period of time.

NOTAM Information

  • NOTAM INFO: NAV (JFAK GPS 17-01) GPS (INCLUDING WAAS, GBAS, AND ADS-B) MAY NOT BE AVBL WI A 532NM RADIUS CENTERED AT 645447N1464448W (FAI 059033) FL400-UNL,
    • 474NM RADIUS AT FL250
    • 401NM RADIUS AT 10000FT
    • 386NM RADIUS AT 4000FT AGL
    • 345NM RADIUS AT 50FT AGL

Final Details

For pilots who are planning to fly in the above area during the testing period, the FAA advises checking the NOTAMs frequently, as they can change with little or no notice. To read the FAA advisory for the Fairbanks, AK May 2017 GPS interference testing, with an area map graphic, click here.

Anders Clark was introduced to aviation a few short years ago, and has developed an interest in aviation history and what the future of aviation will bring. A writer and editor, Anders enjoys researching and sharing the stories of aviation.