WAAS

Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Aviation

WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System, an aviation abbreviation.

FAA satellite-based augmentation system that corrects GPS signals using a network of ground reference stations and geostationary satellites, improving accuracy to a few meters and adding integrity alerts. WAAS makes possible LPV approaches with ILS-like minimums at thousands of US runways.

Example: The avionics shop installed a WAAS-capable GPS navigator so the Bonanza could fly LPV approaches.

Usage notes

Commissioned in 2003. Comparable systems include EGNOS in Europe, MSAS in Japan and GAGAN in India, collectively called SBAS (satellite-based augmentation systems). A WAAS navigator is also a common way to meet the US ADS-B Out position-source requirement for light aircraft.

Related abbreviations

More aviation abbreviations

• A&P – Airframe and powerplant
• ACARS – Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
• ACC – Area control centre
• ADF – Automatic direction finder
• ADIZ – Air defense identification zone
• ADS-B – Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
• AGL – Above ground level
• AIM – Aeronautical Information Manual
• AIRMET – Airmen's Meteorological Information
• AME – Aircraft maintenance engineer
• AOG – Aircraft on ground
• AP – Autopilot

See all 142 aviation abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.