InterceptRadio.com Forums

Yeah, I think there are still quite a few in operation. I'm sure they will be replaced but WAAS and also LAAS needs to be more fully implemented before NDB's retire and GPS takes over for precision approches. You see, for a precision (ILS) approach one of the requirements is the IAP (initial approach point) has to be marked - that's what NOLLA does for Boeing and PARKK does for SeaTac for approches from the north. There's also an NDB in south seattle called DONDO that marks the IAP for Seatac approches from the south. Most aircraft GPS systems arn't certified for precision approches yet (the FAA requirements are complicated and there are a lot of issues around that still), so ILS is a long way from retirement.

There are other NDB's (like the one in Neah Bay) that arn't OM's (outer markers for IAP's) - those can be replaced by GPS now because they arn't part of a precision approach, they are just used for general navigation which we all know GPS does much better. I agree it is kind of sad, I learned to fly 18 years ago before we ever had GPS and NDB's & VOR's were the only way we had any idea where we were in the clouds. That combined with the scanner hobby is probably why they were so fascinating on the ground.

Indeed most of these facilties arn't located in the Seattle metro area but if you want to take a long drive you can see some. My wife and I went wine tasting in Yakima a few summers ago and stayed in a B&B over there - that had the Yakima VOR right in it's backyard! (It's off airport in Yakima)That was very cool. It was called the Birchfield Manor bed & breakfast - check it out if you're ever in Yakima. I got some great shots of the VOR.

Man, we got this thread way off original topic!

It's becoming a

:D Neah Bay CGS used to be an USAF ADC Radar Station From About 51 - 75 :P

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Brian Sewell

Reading thru your posts, I found it interesting that you happen to mention the NDB on Boeing Field. I work for Boeing and about a month ago, I had the task of escorting several persons from the FAA across our property to the sight. Needless to say, I had to ask, Whatz up? They told me they were making preperations to tear down the installation due to increased GPS use etc. That particular NDB has actually been turned off for better than 6 months (I used to take a vehicle out there and tune to 560 khz and hear it). I told the guy there were going to be alot of disappointed people out there that chase those radio signals, which he didn't know. I told him they should just leave it operational for that reason. I don't think he could help.


K7TMF...Issaquah