Regal---An Advanced Approach and Landing System

Abstract

The FAA is developing an advanced approach and landing system called REGAL. Ground-based scanning beams set up a broad reference grid in space from which aircraft may determine their position and optimumly determine the landing maneuver. A breadboard system was designed and tested in 1957 and 1958, and the FAA experimental elevation system will be tested in 1959. Theory of the radar ground-reflection problem is discussed and empirical data are presented to validate conclusions.