Story ID: 
Say Bye-Bye to DF Steers
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The FAA is proposing to decommission all 54 direction finders (DF) and associated DF approaches in all states other than Alaska.
Word Count: 117
The FAA is proposing to decommission all 54 direction finders (DF) and associated DF approaches in all states other than Alaska. “DFs have been used sparingly over the last nine years and the equipment is beyond its useful life cycle,” the agency said. “Improved radar coverage, pilot education and technologies such as area navigation and the global positioning satellite system have reduced the utilization of DF steers and have essentially made DFs obsolete.” If pilots need “orientation assistance,” the FAA said VOR, ADF and GPS are “reliable and meet the needs of our aviation community.” Decommissioning would coincide with the agency’s plan to consolidate the 58 Flight Service Stations to 20 facilities by next March. Comments are due July 28.