Eric Colburn, PLS

Tag: Navigation

FAA Announces Request for Proposals For Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research and Test Sites

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today solicited proposals from state and local governments, eligible universities and other public entities to develop six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. Through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Congress directed the FAA to establish this program to conduct critical…

February 16, 2013
Congress Told LightSquared Network Would Cripple GPS Air Traffic Navigation System

THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION HEARING EXAMINES GPS USE IN AVIATION INDUSTRY On Wednesday, February 8, The Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing to review of issues associated with protecting and improving our nation’s aviation satellite-based global positioning system infrastructure. Here’s are interesting statements by the Honorable John Porcari, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation: GPS…

February 11, 2012
CHC Introduces New Cost-Effective GNSS X900 Receiver

CHC introduces new cost-effective GNSS receiver : X900 Shanghai, China – (December 19th, 2011) – CHC today announced the availability of X900 GNSS receiver bringing extremely affordable and reliable GPS+GLONASS real-time centimeter level solution to surveyors without the conventional cost associated with GNSS solutions. The X900 GNSS combines field proven 72 channels GPS+GLONASS technology and…

December 23, 2011
Senator Chuck Grassley Continues to Pursue Information on LightSquared, Agency Interaction

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa continues to seek answers regarding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its dealings with the firm, LightSquared. This week, Grassley wrote separate letters to the top investor in and the chief executive of the company, seeking materials that would shed light on why the agency has allowed the…

October 7, 2011
NOAA’s VDatum a Free Unlimited Access Web-Based GIS Software Tool

NOAA Vertical Datum Transformation tool NOAA’s just-completed first edition VDatum tool will allow users to combine and transform geospatial data from different sources onto a single vertical reference surface, removing the largest obstacle GIS users face when creating products that enable safe navigation and serve other vital purposes for coastal communities. The Vertical Datum Transformation tool, known…

September 20, 2011
Locata Passes Critical U.S. Air Force Ground-Based Positioning System Design Review Milestone

Locata Passes Critical Design Review Milestone for U.S. Air Force Ground-Based Positioning System Locata Prototypes a System for Centimeter-Accurate Positioning Over Large Areas When GPS Is Completely Denied IRVINE, CA and CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA–(Marketwire – Sep 8, 2011) – Locata Corporation today announced it has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) contract phase for a Locata network…

September 20, 2011
LightSquared Video to Debunk Several GPS Interference Myths-Facts or Propaganda?

Yesterday, I published a press release by House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri Rebuts LightSquared Ad in Letter to CEO and another press release where the Defense Department Seeks to Protect GPS Operations Against LightSquared Network. In summary, Congressman Petri, House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman, disputes the LightSquared arguments that the GPS manufacturers are on the wrong side of this interference…

September 17, 2011
Defense Department Seeks to Protect GPS Operations Against LightSquared Network

Defense Department Seeks to Protect GPS Operations By Elaine Sanchez American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2011 – Defense Department officials are raising concerns that a company’s proposed wireless broadband network would cause harmful interference to essential Global Positioning System operations. LightSquared’s new terrestrial network has the potential to wreak havoc on GPS systems…

September 16, 2011
House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri Rebuts LightSquared Ad in Letter to CEO

In a letter to the chairman and CEO of a controversial wireless company, House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI) sought to set the record straight Thursday following the company’s ad in the Wall Street Journal the day before. LightSquared, a wireless broadband company, has been mired in controversy because it plans to use a portion of the radio…

September 16, 2011
The Truth About GPS: How it Works Video

Col. David Buckman, Air Force Space Command, talks about GPS, how it works, and modernization. Watch the The Truth About GPS: How it Works Video

June 16, 2011
Professional Land Surveyor News: Ashtech Releases New Firmware and Radio Option for ProFlex GNSS Receivers

Ashtech® has introduced a new GNSS firmware upgrade for the entire ProFlex™ line of products, including the ProFlex 500, ProFlex 500 Marine, ProFlex 500 CORS, ProFlex Lite and ProFlex Lite Duo. The new firmware features as standard: Hot Stand-By RTK: Doubles the assurance that an RTK position is always available and robust. Advanced Raw Data…

July 6, 2010
GNSS Positioning Short Course Sponsored by New England Section ACSM and CALS

GNSS Positioning Short Course Sponsored by New England Section ACSM and CALS The New England Section ACSM and CALS are proud to present a GNSS Positioning Short Course offered on five consecutive Saturdays this summer starting on July 10, 2010 and ending on August 7, 2010. Each Saturday class begins at 8 am and ends…

May 26, 2010
GPS Used By Blind Outdoorsman To Hike The Entire The Appalachian Trail Solo

Here’s an inspirational story and video about Mike Hanson, who is an avid outdoorsman, GPS user, and happens to be blind. Despite his disability, Mike plans on hiking the entire Appalachian Trail solo only with the help of his GPS to guide him. That’s right; he plans on hiking the entire 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail…

March 3, 2010
China launches Satellites To Build Its Own GPS

Yesterday, January 18, 2009, Reuters India reported from Beijing, China that over the past weekend China launched the third BeiDou (Big Dipper) or Compass satellite in an effort to build its own global satellite positioning (GPS) system. This latest satellite is part of a proposed constellation of 35 Chinese GPS satellites to be in orbit by the year…

January 19, 2010
Coast Guard Announces Publication of Notice of Intention to Terminate the Long Range Aids to Navigation (Loran-C) Signal

Coast Guard announces publication of notice of intention to terminate the Long Range Aids to Navigation (Loran-C) signal WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard’s Director of Prevention Policy announced Thursday publication in the Federal Register of plans to cease broadcasting the North American Loran-C signal Feb. 8. As a result of technological advancements during the…

January 19, 2010
Professional Land Surveyor News-The European Commission Awards Major Contracts To Make Galileo Operational Early 2014

Brussels, 7 January 2010 Commission awards major contracts to make Galileo operational early 2014 The European Commission announced today the award of three of the six contracts for the procurement of Galileo’s initial operational capability. The contract for the system support services is awarded to ThalesAleniaSpace of Italy , that for a first order of…

January 8, 2010
Captain John Lowell Named Director of NOAA Office of Coast Survey

Lowell will also serve as Chief Hydrographer for the United States November 2, 2009 NOAA Corps Capt. John E. Lowell, Jr., has been named the new director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. He will simultaneously serve as the U.S. national hydrographer. In his dual roles, Lowell will be responsible for overseeing NOAA’s hydrographic services,…

November 10, 2009
Could Worldwide GPS Die in 2010?

Houston, we have a problem….. For over a month now there has been some chatter regarding the stability and reliability of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and now there is a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) with some very disturbing news concerning the GPS system as we move into the very near…

May 21, 2009
Professional Land Surveyor Product Review: Magellan Triton 2000 Handheld Navigation System

While not necessarily thought of as a tool for Professional Land Surveyors, the , none the less, is a very handy tool for Professional Land Surveyors and outdoor enthusiast, alike. The Magellan Triton 2000 has proved to be a good tool to have in any Professional Land Surveyor’s tool box. What I liked about the…

April 30, 2009
Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and GPS (Military)

Suunto X9i Wrist-Top GPS Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and GPS (Military) Product Description Features: Compatible with digital maps, it is the perfect tool for planning routes in advance and storing the best ones for re-use Navigational functions calculate your present heading, remaining distance and time to finish, distance to the next waypoint and…

April 22, 2009