[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 199 (Friday, October 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53479-53480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26144]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD 96-051]
Omega Radionavigation System Termination
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard intends to terminate its involvement in the
worldwide Omega Radionavigation System on September 30, 1997. This will
include closure of the two stations located in the U.S. (Lamoure, ND
and Haiku, HI) and termination of the existing bilateral agreements
with the six partner nations (Argentina, Australia, France, Japan,
Liberia, and Norway.
The Omega navigation system primarily serves aviation and weather
users. The Department of Transportation recently completed its review
of Omega navigation requirements and notified the U.S. Coast Guard that
most users will complete their conversion to Global Positioning System
technology by September 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Stewart Shoulta, Radio Aids Division (G-OPN-3), U.S. Coast Guard
Headquarters, 2100 Second St., SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001, phone
(202) 267-6052.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Omega navigation system was approved for full implementation in
[[Page 53480]]
1968 and promised a true worldwide coverage capability. With the Global
Positioning System (GPS) being declared fully operational, the use of
Omega has dwindled to a point that continued operation is not
economically justified. The 1994 edition of the Federal Radionavigation
Plan (FRP), which delineates policies and plans for federally provided
radionavigation services, stated ``the U.S. expects to continue Omega
operations until September 30, 1997, to accommodate the transition of
civil aviation users to GPS. Continued operation after that date will
depend upon validating requirements for Omega that cannot be met by GPS
or another system.'' The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
completed its review of Omega navigation requirements for the U.S.
aviation industry and notified the U.S. Coast Guard that most users
will complete their conversion to GPS technology by September 1997.
Determination
Based on the completed studies, the FAA concurred with the proposed
FRP termination date of September 30, 1997, for the Omega system.
N.T. Saunders,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-26144 Filed 10-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
