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Beyond the Line of Sight Challenge: Ground Control Approaches a Miracle in Bad Weather!
In the aviation industry, Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) is a service provided by air traffic controllers that can guide aircraft to land safely in bad weather conditions. The development of this technology not only demonstrates the progress of science and technology, but also is the crystallization of human wisdom and courage, allowing us to maintain safe navigation when facing the challenges of nature.
Ground control is based on radar images and can achieve precise landing of aircraft in bad weather.
Innovation in History: The Origin of GCA
The concept of ground-controlled approach was first proposed by nuclear physicist Luis Alvarez. In 1941, he was invited to join MIT's Radiation Laboratory, where scientists were working on the development of a radar system based on hollow core magnetrons. As a light aircraft pilot, Alvarez was well aware of the difficulties of landing in bad weather, so he proposed the possibility of using the XT-1 radar for aircraft landing.
In 1943, a PBY Catalina nearly ran out of fuel in bad weather but successfully landed. This incident attracted the attention of the Pentagon.
In 1943, with the successful testing of the GCA system, this technology attracted the attention of the US military. Immediately, the U.S. Army and Navy began to use this system to assist aircraft in landing, especially in poor weather.
How GCA works
Ground control proximity requires close communication between the air traffic controller and the aircraft about to land. Controllers use specialized precision proximity radar systems to monitor the plane's path and altitude, and give pilots voice instructions via radio to guide them to a safe landing.
The command includes corrections to the descent rate (taxi path) and heading to help the aircraft fly along the correct landing path.
Most of the time, GCA only needs one controller to assist the landing of an aircraft, which to a certain extent avoids the danger caused by the shortage of human resources.
GCA’s modern challenges
Although GCA played an irreplaceable role in World War II and subsequent various flight missions, with the development of GPS and instrument landing systems (ILS), this technology is gradually being replaced. These modern technologies not only improve security, but also reduce the possibility of human error.
Now, many airports have begun to use GPS-based proximity systems that can serve multiple aircraft at the same time.
Thinking about the future
Despite the continuous advancement of technology, GCA still has its irreplaceable characteristics, such as in bad weather or when the aircraft is not equipped with advanced navigation equipment. Can the GCA be leveraged in the future to help pilots survive bad weather safely or to show their value again when they face an emergency?
