Flight test on GPS navigation performance using low cost GPS navigation system

Summary form only given. The author describes a flight test performed in Japan using a GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation system. A low-cost C/A code GPS navigation system (Pioneer AVIC-1) which consists of a three-channel sequential receiver and map display was installed on an experimental aircraft together with VOR/DME airborne experiment and a baro-altimeter. The data collected are position, velocity vector, and DOP derived from GPS and bearing, distance, altitude from VOR/DME/ALT during the entire flight. Fixed-point continuous observation on GPS data was also performed for 24 hours. The flight test results obtained show very high accuracy and smooth track trajectory compared with VOR/DME position data during approach and departure. The continuous observation results indicate that the two-dimensional position fix error and height error of GPS are 25 to 30 m (2* rms) and 70 to 90 m (2* rms), respectively