Section 5. Navigational Aids

3-5-1. NAVAID MONITORING

When a facility is assigned responsibility for monitoring NAVAIDs, the air traffic manager must issue monitoring instructions in a facility directive. Notification procedures must be coordinated with the appropriate sector manager.

VOR/VORTAC:
1. Aurally check the identification at the beginning of each watch.
  
  NOTE-
  
  Upon commissioning of 2nd generation (FA-9996) VORs, aural monitoring is not required.
2. Record the check in accordance with subparagraph 4-6-5 g, Preparation of FAA Form 7230-4.
3. If a monitor Category 2 exists:
  1. Take appropriate action as indicated in FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, paragraph 2-1-10, NAVAID Malfunctions.
  2. Notify the ARTCC.
    NOTE-
    VORs, VORTACs, and TACANs have an automatic course alignment and signal monitor (ACM). This monitor is usually connected to a remote alarm. An automatic transfer and shutdown unit (ATU) is installed as part of the ACM. When the ACM detects a malfunction, the ATU switches the range to a standby transmitter. If the standby transmitter does not work properly, the ATU will shut down the facility.
    
    Monitoring of VOR test signals (VOT) is accomplished by a light or a buzzer monitor and is of local concern only.
    
    VOR and VORTAC monitor categories:
    
    Category 1: Alarm feature and identification heard at the control point.
    
    Category 2: Monitor equipment failure and identification not heard at the control point, but aircraft reports indicate that the facility is operating normally.
    
    Not constantly monitored by other than ACM and ATU.
TACAN (joint-use airports):
1. Aurally check the identification at the beginning of each watch.
2. Immediately notify the responsible military authority when an alarm is received.
3. Consider the aid inoperative when the alarm cannot be silenced and the identification cannot be heard on the aural monitor.
  
  NOTE-
  
  The military authority will issue NOTAMs for TACANs.
DME (to be monitored by the same facility that monitors the associated VOR, VORTAC, or ILS):
1. Press the VOR/DME control oscillator level to the “Facility On” position at the beginning of each watch.
2. Record the check in accordance with subparagraph 4-6-5 h, Preparation of FAA Form 7230-4.
L/MF aids (to be monitored on a continuous basis):
1. Check the identification at the beginning of each watch.
2. Record the check in accordance with subparagraph 4-6-5 h, Preparation of FAA Form 7230-4.
NDB (class MH, class H, and class HH):
1. Monitor continuously by automatic means the beacons used as IFR aids.
2. Check the operation at least once each hour if an automatic alarm is not available.
ILS
1. Check the ILS monitor panel at the beginning of each watch and record the system status in accordance with subparagraph 4-6-5 h, Preparation of FAA Form 7230-4.
2. Apply the procedures described in paragraph 3-5-2, System Component Malfunctions, when there are indications that a component has failed.
3. If you suspect that the indication is caused by a control line or a control station monitor failure rather than a malfunction of the component itself, take appropriate action as indicated in FAA Order JO 7110.65, paragraph 2-1-10, NAVAID Malfunctions. If a malfunction is confirmed, discontinue use of the component involved.
  
  NOTE-
  
  Not all ILS components are provided with remote monitor and control lines (on/off capability). If the failure indication is caused by a control line or a control station monitor failure, the Technical Operations technician must advise if that component will be restored to operation and the monitor status.
Compass locators:
1. Monitor continuously by automatic means.
2. Check the operation at least once each hour if an automatic alarm is not available.
3. If the provisions of subparagraphs 1 or 2 above cannot be met, the compass locator may be considered monitored if it is equipped with an automatic monitor and shutdown feature at the site. In this case responsibility for monitoring must not be assigned to the air traffic facility.

3-5-2. SYSTEM COMPONENT MALFUNCTIONS

Take the following action when the alarm signal or a report indicates an air traffic system component malfunction:

Try to restore the aid to normal operation.
If unable to restore it, discontinue its use and:
1. Notify the appropriate IFR control facility/sector.
2. Notify the appropriate FSS as necessary.
3. Notify Technical Operations personnel in accordance with FAA Order JO 6030.31, National Airspace System Failure Response, and locally developed procedures.
4. Issue any necessary NOTAMs, and take other NOTAM related actions as appropriate.
  
  REFERENCE-
  
  FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 3-5-1, NAVAID Monitoring.
  FAA Order 7930.2, Para 4-2-1, NOTAM Composition.
  
  NOTE-
  
  When Technical Operations personnel silence the monitoring system of any NAVAID, they will assume responsibility for the monitoring function.

3-5-3. PROCESSING GPS ANOMALY REPORTS

As soon as practicable, facilities must forward all information gathered, as per FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, paragraph 2-1-10, NAVAID Malfunctions, subparagraph b, to the primary intake team for mitigation via the GPS Anomaly Website: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/nas/gps_reports. Theinformation may also be forwarded to the Wide‐Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Team (1-800-272-2989 or 9‐ATO‐WAAS‐Operations‐Team@faa.gov), or to the traffic management unit (TMU), or to the appropriate Service Operations Center (SOC) for assistance in entering the data into the website.

3-5-4. ORIGINATING NOTAMs CONCERNING NAVAIDs

Air traffic facilities having responsibility for monitoring NAVAIDs must originate NOTAMs regarding their status unless otherwise directed by the Service Area office.