NBAA helped to pioneer the transition to GPS-based flight decks and procedures, and now the group is taking a leading role to voice the U.S. civil aviation community’s concern about LightSquared’s threat to GPS.

The association was the first to welcome Sen. Pat Roberts’ (R-Kan.) recent amendment in a funding bill that would prohibit the FCC from spending federal dollars to support LightSquared’s deployment, pending proof of non-interference with GPS.

“There is too much at stake in interfering with a tool we all use, and on which our public safety and national security depend so heavily,” said Sen. Roberts. “GPS is too important for any interference to be tolerated.”

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said, “The business aviation community thanks Senator Roberts for introducing this important amendment. We are not opposed to the development and deployment of new or improved technology systems like LightSquared–as long as it is conclusively proven that it will not result in radio interference with GPS systems or pose any threat to the global aviation transportation system.”