NextGen article in NYT featuring AS
 

An interesting read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/bu...l?ref=business

Most interesting! Can anyone advise us on how this sat-based system will handle disruptions created by solar storms?

All pioneered here back in the 90's in Alaska under the auspices of the Capstone program, as spearheaded by former FAA Alaskan Region Administrator Pat Poe.

Someone else probably has more knowledge, but the aircraft gps do have safeguards in place to alert of the gps is accurate. So if there is an unexpected disruption they would just continue flying without the benefit of gps, which is perfectly safe.

I am curious if there has been any actual gps disruptions due to solar storms in aircraft. As far as I'm aware, there hasn't been. But I'm sure it will happen at some point.

I'm sure there have been, but there are numerous other systems on the aircraft that monitor its position as well, including ILS, VOR/DME, and the Flight Management Computer. If the required navigation performance falls below a certain threshold, you can't continue the approach.

and if all else fails they have flight training 101 to fall back on...VFR...albeit if over and ocean you have SOL training :D

That's one reason why flight crews should still be trained on the use of the sextant :D