[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]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD 96-051]


Omega Radionavigation System Termination

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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]
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