Analysis of the earth's surface influence on the accuracy of non directional beacon in mountain terrain

Abstract

This paper deals with the measuring and checking of the Non Directional Beacon using flying laboratory AeroLab 1 at University of Zilina. It is based on the most simple radio navigation concept: a ground-based radio transmitter (the NDB) sends an omnidirectional signal that an aircraft loop antenna receives. Our practical measurement shows that the NDB satisfies ICAO standards and can be used in industrial part of urban area and is functional in spite of the interference. The paper concentrates on the measuring of the Non Directional Beacon (NDB) which is installed close to industrial part of the city. The ADF/NDB navigation system is one of the oldest air navigation system still in use today. One of the paper's goals is to familiarize the aviation public with the practical measurement of this urban area phenomenon in terms of flight safety, which is common in mountainous nations such as Slovakia. The article's other purpose is to educate professionals in the area about this occurrence in terms of its nature as a physical rule, in order to develop solutions to improve the navigation system's measurement accuracy.