Hello NMPA members and friends,
We encourage you to respond even with a quick email in response to this call to action, regardless of your need for an instrument approach at Double Eagle II Airport.
Recent NMPA Advocacy newsletter articles have raised concerns about the increased decommissioning of non-GPS dependent Instrument Approach Procedures while GPS jamming on general aviation has expanded in New Mexico. The KingAir accident at Ruidoso in May elevated visibility of this ongoing issue.
Our congressional delegation recently requested answers from the US military about GPS jamming and its impact on the Medevac accident claiming 4 lives and subsequent fire. NMPA Member and Medevac pilot, Karl Koeppen alerted NMPA to the significance of the issue, gaining support from AOPA and NMDOT Aviation. An assessment of the impact of this flight safety issue is needed, especially the impact on emergency response to rural New Mexico. It was not a one-time occurrence. For instance, there was a NOTAM for all night, Aug 10 - 14, 2026 for GPS jamming covering the whole state from ground level to 10,000 and more extensive above that. Karl's flights were affected.
Meanwhile, we learned that in addition to the 14 VOR approaches the FAA announced they would eliminate early this year, the FAA now plans to decommission the ILS at Double Eagle II Airport (KAEG). Download full letter: Double Eagle ILS Decommissioning 2026-07-07 or see images below.
Comments on the Double Eagle ILS decommissioning are due by Friday, August 28, 2026. Send via email to Mike McCully at mike.ctr.mccully@faa.gov.
In discussions with AOPA representatives, one approach we could take is to request a hold on any further decommissioning in New Mexico of non-GPS instrument approach procedures until the impact of GPS jamming on aviation in New Mexico can be assessed, or at least until the NTSB completes their investigation of the Ruidoso accident. I'd appreciate any feedback on this (send to us at email below). I personally think this is what we need to express in letters as this AEG or any further decommissionings are proposed.
Please let us know if other decommissioning proposals affect your airports as these notices are only sent by snail mail to Airport owners. I understand that Grant County Airport was able to retain their VOR approach, justified because of the frequency of GPS Jamming. We can make a difference.
Joyce Woods
Chair, Advocacy Committee
New Mexico Pilots Association
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