In response to a staggering 500 per cent increase in GPS spoofing incidents, Aircraft Performance Group (APG) has launched its latest NaviGuard release, a free GPS anomaly detection app that empowers pilots to safeguard vital aviation information.

GPS spoofing poses a serious threat by providing false location data, which jeopardises flight navigation and safety. This tactic has increased dramatically, with OpsGroup, a global organisation focused on international flight operations, citing a 500 per cent rise in incidents year over year in its latest report. It found that roughly 1,500 flights per day are experiencing some form of GPS spoofing, causing grave concerns as winter approaches and operating environments change from predominantly good weather to snow, icing and deteriorating conditions.

“With the volume of GPS spoofing incidences increasing dramatically, heightened vigilance among pilots is vital,” states Andy Spencer, training manager and lead captain at Asia Corporate Jet. “While combating this threat takes a multifaceted approach, alert tools like NaviGuard can assist impacted pilots.”

APG’s response to the growing safety concern, NaviGuard, has seen significant adoption, eclipsing 3,000 downloads within the last three months. The app is built to detect abnormal GPS readings on iPads and verifies GPS data using radio navigation. The latest release, which focuses on editing navigational aid points (NAVAID) and sharing GPS logs with flight operation safety departments, offers a crucial solution to safeguard commercial and business flight operators from this growing threat.

“I believe you are at the start of a profoundly meaningful safety tool to address GPS spoofing,” says Don Cummins, a 30-year business aviation pilot. “The foundational correctness of your product is really impressive, and I’m grateful you are contributing to my safety.”

“The risk factors associated with GPS spoofing and flight safety continue to increase dramatically,” adds Shawn Mechelke, president of APG. “With the latest release of NaviGuard, we offer some peace of mind to pilots and flight operators, assuring their navigation remains secure and accurate at all times.”

With winter weather approaching, the need for enhanced navigation security has never been more critical. NaviGuard can be downloaded from the APG website.