FLIGHT TESTS OF THE OMEGA AIRCRAFT RECEIVER.

• Main Authors: Thornhill,A. F., Williams,M. F.
• Other Authors: NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON D C
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1963
• Subjects: Air Navigation and Guidance; Radio Communications; (*RADIO RECEIVERS; AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT); (*RADIO NAVIGATION; RADIO RECEIVERS); (*AIR TRAFFIC; RADIO NAVIGATION); HYPERBOLIC NAVIGATION; VERY LOW FREQUENCY; RADIO EQUIPMENT; FLIGHT; OMEGA NAVIGATION SYSTEM; Canada; Pacific; Barrow; Iceland; Point Barrow; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0626705; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0626705

Results of test flights to Canada, Alaska, Washington State, Bermuda, the Azores, Italy, England, Iceland and the Labrador area were satisfactory. Maximum range of the Hawaii signal (3) kw radiated power) was about 6000 nautical miles. The Summit signal (2 kw) was satisfactory as far east as Naples, Italy, and as far west and north as Point Barrow, Alaska. The range of the Forestport signal (0.25 kw) extends as far west as the Pacific coast and as far east as England. These ranges will be less in high noise conditions and over some propagation paths. Potential accuracy of the system for aircraft was checked by a series of five flights over six check points on a 225-mile triangular course in the Washington, D. C. area. The flights were taken over a period of one month. The maximum deviation at the worst check point was about two miles and at the best check point about 0.8 mile. Omega appears to be an entirely feasible aircraft navigation system. The only aspects yet unproven are the ability of the receiver to operate continuously at extreme range (>5000 nautical miles) and/or during extreme noise conditions.