AIM 

3/21/24 

TBL 1

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1

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5 

GPS IFR Equipment Classes/Categories 

TSO

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C129 

Equipment 

Class 

RAIM 

Int. Nav. Sys. to 

Prov. RAIM 

Equiv. 

Oceanic 

En Route 

Terminal 

Non

−

precision 

Approach 

Capable 

Class A 

−

 GPS sensor and navigation capability. 

A1 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

A2 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

no 

Class B 

−

 GPS sensor data to an integrated navigation system (i.e., FMS, multi

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sensor navigation system, etc.). 

B1 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

B2 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

no 

B3 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

B4 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

no 

Class C 

−

 GPS sensor data to an integrated navigation system (as in Class B) which provides enhanced guidance to an autopilot, or 

flight director, to reduce flight tech. errors. Limited to 14 CFR Part 121 or equivalent criteria. 

C1 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

C2 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

no 

C3 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

C4 

yes 

yes 

yes 

yes 

no 

TBL 1

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1

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6 

GPS Approval Required/Authorized Use 

Equipment 

Type

1 

Installation 

Approval 

Required 

Operational 

Approval 

Required 

IFR 

En Route

2 

IFR 

Terminal

2 

IFR 

Approach

3 

Oceanic 

Remote 

In Lieu of 

ADF and/or 

DME

3 

Hand held

4 

X

5 

VFR Panel Mount

4 

X 

IFR En Route 

and Terminal 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

IFR Oceanic/ 

Remote 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

IFR En Route, 

Terminal, and 

Approach 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

NOTE

−

 

1

To determine equipment approvals and limitations, refer to the AFM, AFM supplements, or pilot guides. 

2

Requires verification of data for correctness if database is expired. 

3

Requires current database or verification that the procedure has not been amended since the expiration of the database. 

4

VFR and hand

−

held GPS systems are not authorized for IFR navigation, instrument approaches, or as a primary instrument 

flight reference. During IFR operations they may be considered only an aid to situational awareness. 

5

Hand

−

held receivers require no approval. However, any aircraft modification to support the hand

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held receiver; 

i.e., installation of an external antenna or a permanent mounting bracket, does require approval. 

1

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1

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18.  Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) 

a.  General 

1. 

The FAA developed the WAAS to improve the accuracy, integrity and availability of GPS signals. WAAS 

will allow GPS to be used, as the aviation navigation system, from takeoff through approach when it is complete. 

WAAS is a critical component of the FAA’s strategic objective for a seamless satellite navigation system for civil 

aviation, improving capacity and safety. 

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1

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34 

Navigation Aids