LORAN-C Termination

AIM ¶ 1-1-14 — LORAN-C Termination

AIM 1-1-14 explains the termination of U.S., Russian-American, and Canadian LORAN-C signals and the FAA's cancellation of TSO-C60b for pilots.

In Plain English

AIM 1-1-14 documents the end of LORAN-C as a usable navigation system in North America. Under the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) shut down LORAN-C transmissions on the following dates:

U.S. LORAN-C signals: terminated 08 Feb 2010
Russian American signals: terminated 01 Aug 2010
Canadian LORAN-C signals: terminated 03 Aug 2010

In addition, the FAA canceled TSO-C60b, the technical standard order that governed airborne area navigation equipment using LORAN-C inputs.

Why it matters operationally: LORAN-C can no longer be used as a primary or supplemental navigation source for IFR or VFR flight. Any aircraft still carrying a LORAN receiver should treat it as inoperative for navigation, and pilots should plan routes using currently supported systems such as VOR, DME, and GPS/GNSS. For current navigation system status, the USCG's Navigation Center (navcen.uscg.gov) remains the authoritative reference.

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 1-1-14

1-1-14. 1-1-14. LORAN NOTE- In accordance with the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) terminated the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals on 08 Feb 2010. The USCG also terminated the transmission of the Russian American signals on 01 Aug 2010, and the Canadian LORAN-C signals on 03 Aug 2010. For more information, visit http://www.navcen.uscg.gov. Operators should also note that TSO-C60b, AIRBORNE AREA NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT USING LORAN-C INPUTS, has been canceled by the FAA.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Is LORAN-C still available as a navigation system in the United States?

No. Per AIM 1-1-14, the U.S. Coast Guard terminated transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals on 08 Feb 2010 in accordance with the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, so it is no longer available for navigation.

Q2When were the Canadian and Russian American LORAN-C signals shut down?

Per AIM 1-1-14, the USCG terminated the Russian American LORAN-C signals on 01 Aug 2010 and the Canadian LORAN-C signals on 03 Aug 2010.

Q3What happened to the TSO that approved LORAN-C area navigation equipment?

Per AIM 1-1-14, the FAA canceled TSO-C60b, Airborne Area Navigation Equipment Using LORAN-C Inputs, meaning that standard no longer supports certification of LORAN-C navigation equipment.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 1

¶ 1-1-1

Navigation Aids General

¶ 1-1-10

Simplified Directional Facility

¶ 1-1-11

NAVAID Identifier Removal

¶ 1-1-12

NAVAIDs With Voice

¶ 1-1-13

NAVAID Outage Reports

¶ 1-1-15