WAAS Service Expanded into Canada and Mexico

WAAS (wide area augmentation system) service became available recently throughout Canada and Mexico following the integration of nine new international WRS (wide-area reference stations) into the WAAS network.

In addition to extending WAAS coverage to users throughout Canada and Mexico, the expansion improves WAAS coverage for some users in the U.S. who were formerly on its fringes.

The new WRSs are located in Goosebay, Gander, Winnipeg, and Iqualuit, Canada, and in Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Mérida, Tapachula, and San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.

The FAA says this expansion of service will provide more locations where vertically guided approach procedures based on WAAS can be developed and used. The agency already has published more than 900 LPV (localizer performance with vertical guidance) approaches throughout the U.S.

More than 18,000 aircraft currently are equipped to fly LPV approach procedures, according to the FAA.

Real-time WAAS coverage is available on the FAA's Real-Time WAAS Vertical Navigation Snapshot Display page.  Information on currently available WAAS approach procedures can be viewed on the FAA's GPS/WAAS Approaches page.  10-20-2007.

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