FAA Removes Requirement to Teach Obsolete Navigation Systems

Today's federal register gives notice of a change to Federal Aviation Administration part 147 curriculum requirements. The final rule removes the term "LORAN" from required subject area items provided for in Appendix C of part 147, which reads as follows:
 
Inspect, check, and service aircraft electronic communication and navigation systems, including VHF passenger address interphones and static discharge devices, aircraft VOR, ILS, LORAN, Radar beacon transponders, flight management computers, and GPWS.
 
According to the preamble, the "technical amendment"—which by definition does not require an opportunity for public comment—removes obsolete references throughout the aviation regulations, reasoning that "Loran, Consol, and Omega ground stations have ceased operations, which makes these avionics receivers obsolete and useless. Continued mention of these obsolete navigation aids in title 14 of the CFR serves no purpose, and could only confuse the public."

References the the outdated systems were removed from title 14 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1, 63, 121, 125, 135, 147, and 170. The change is effective immediately.

No mention was made of the expected larger revision to part 147. Agency officials expect the new part 147 final rule to publish this year.

The federal register notice is available at: ​https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/07/25/2017-15517/removal-of-references-to-obsolete-navigation-systems-technical-amendment