GPS interference is real and your iPad can help

The FAA recently released an updated version of its GNSS Interference Resource Guide, and while the topic might sound like something reserved for military operations or international conflict zones, it has some practical takeaways for everyday pilots.

The short version: while GPS interference—both jamming and spoofing—is becoming more common, for most general aviation flying in the United States, these events are still relatively rare and usually localized. That said, the FAA’s guidance reinforces a familiar aviation principle to not rely on a single source of navigation data. And your iPad can play an important role in that redundancy.

Jamming vs. spoofing

Not all GPS interference looks the same.

• Jamming is the simpler of the two—it blocks GPS signals entirely. In the cockpit, this usually shows up as a loss of position, flags, or system alerts. It’s obvious.
• Spoofing is more subtle. In this case, a false GPS signal is broadcast that looks legitimate to your receiver. The system continues to function normally, but the position it calculates may be wrong. This is less obvious and more challenging.

How your iPad can help

Buried in the FAA’s guidance is an interesting observation: an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), like an iPad running ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot, may help pilots detect interference because your iPad is often operating independently from your panel avionics. The result is that your panel-mounted GPS and your iPad may not always be affected in the same way or at the same time. That fact creates a valuable cross-check opportunity. If you ever encounter GPS anomalies, one of the simplest things you can do is compare what your panel is showing with what your iPad displays. You’re looking for mismatches like different aircraft positions on the moving map or unexplained jumps in location. If everything agrees, great. But if your panel and your iPad suddenly paint two different pictures, that’s a cue to slow down and start verifying.

FAA recommendations

One of the more counterintuitive suggestions in the FAA guide is this: in areas where interference is expected (check NOTAMS), pilots should consider removing ownship position from their EFB at a planned point in the flight. The reasoning is that if there’s a high likelihood of corrupted GPS data, removing the moving map aircraft symbol can prevent you from subconsciously trusting bad information.

The FAA also emphasizes early recognition and a return to basic navigation skills when something doesn’t look right. That includes cross-checking with ground-based NAVAIDs and monitoring for unusual system behavior (like time shifts or inconsistent groundspeed).

The FAA’s updated guidance isn’t a warning that GPS can’t be trusted, but it’s a reminder that no system is infallible. For pilots who fly with an iPad, remember that it can also serve as an independent reference point when things don’t add up.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. Eric now manages Sporty’s media network. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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