A small Michigan airport loses its old navigation beacon, changes its flight paths
What happened
The Federal Aviation Administration is changing the flight paths around Gaylord, Michigan. This is because the old radio beacon that pilots used to navigate has been shut down.
Why it matters
For decades, air travel relied on a network of ground-based radio beacons. These beacons are slowly being replaced by GPS and other satellite navigation systems. This change means pilots flying into Gaylord will now rely on newer technology to guide their planes.
The signal
Watch for similar airspace changes around other small airports as more of the old VOR beacons are decommissioned across the country.