No.

2896

Out-of-Cycle Update for the World Magnetic

Model 2019 (WMM2015v2)
To: Operators of All Universal Avionics UNS-1( ) FMS
Subject: Out-of-Cycle Update of the US/UK World Magnetic Model for
2015-2020
NOTE: Revision B to this Service Letter updates the Description, Study Findings and the
Summary sections for clarity and includes WWM 2000 in the comparison.

Application

This Service Letter applies to all Universal Avionics UNS-1 ( ) FMS. See Table 1 for specific
software control number, model and part number for each WMM.

Description

In February of 2019, an out-of-cycle World Magnetic Model for the 2015-2020 WMM was
released by NOAA. Universal Avionics has been contacted by several customers to explain the
impact of this released model on the navigation capabilities and accuracy of the UNS-1( ) FMS.
Background:
In early 2018 the US and UK geological administrations released a study showing that the World
Magnetic Model 2015-2020 (WMM2015) was predicted to exceed its performance specification
error tolerances by the end of 2018 or early 2019. Specifically, the grid variation root-mean-
square (RMS) error was about to exceed the 1degree specification due to fast fluid flows in the
Earth’s outer core, especially in the North polar region. An out-of-cycle update of the
WMM2015 was developed and released in early 2019 (WMM2015v2) to address this
performance degradation.
Review of the data:
Universal Avionics has performed an evaluation of the four models being used in UA FMSs
today. These models (WMM2000, WMM2005, WMM2010, and WMM2015) were compared to
the WMM2015v2. The study of the data was confined to the geographic area of the earth that the
UNS-1( ) FMS considers valid magnetic variation areas between N73° and S60°. North of N73°
or south of S60° the FMS does not provide or calculate a MagVar value. In these areas, a true
heading source is required to navigate accurately.

Out-of-Cycle update for the World Magnetic Model Service Letter No. 2896
Revision B, 2 October 2019 Page 1 of 6
 SERVICE LETTER

Study Findings:
WMM2000: The magnitude of the FMS WMM2000 model error exceeds 3° in the areas defined
below. Its use is acceptable for RNP 1 operations in all other areas. The RMS error
for the whole model from S60 to N73 is less than 1.1°.

WMM2005: The magnitude of the FMS WMM2005 model error exceeds 3° in the areas defined
below. Its use is acceptable for RNP 1 operations in all other areas. The RMS error
for the whole model from S60 to N73 is less than 0.7°.

WMM2010: The magnitude of the FMS WMM2010 model error exceeds 3° in the areas defined
below. Its use is acceptable for RNP 1 operations in all other areas. The RMS error
for the whole model from S60 to N73 is less than 0.5°.

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 SERVICE LETTER

WMM2015: The magnitude of the FMS WMM2015 original model error exceeds 3° in the areas
defined below. Its use is acceptable for RNP 1 operations in all other areas. The
RMS error for the whole model from S60 to N73 is less than 0.7°.

WMM2015v2: The magnitude of the FMS WMM2015v2 model error exceeds 3° in the areas
defined below. Its use is acceptable for RNP 1 operations in all other areas. The
RMS error for the whole model from S60 to N73 is less than 0.3°.

NOTE: For GNSS and RNP approaches, these five WMM will support the
required 0.3 RNP. During RNP approach operations, the approach
common leg types are initial fix, (IF), track-to-fix (TF) and radius-to-
fix (RF) legs which are not affected by MagVar calculations.
Legs in the approach common segment are always coded as TF or
course-to-fix (CF) legs in accordance with ARINC 424 rules. These
approach types include; ILS/LOC, LOC BC, IGS, LDA, SDF, VOR,
VOR DME, RNAV (VOR DME), TACAN, NDB, RNP. The FMS
converts all CF legs in the approach segment to TF legs to conform to
TSO-C129a.
For other leg types such as CF, FA, Hx, based on courses and headings,
MagVar will be a factor. These leg types are not normally included in the
typical RNP approach common segment where 0.3 RNP is required. These
other leg types are commonly included in approach transitions and holding
patterns following a missed approach.
Universal has calculated the RMS error for leg lengths of 10NM and 20NM
and have found that the RMS errors of 0.5 and 0.7 degree would not reach the
0.3NM criticality of the approach RNP level. At most, a 0.2NM cross track
value, or less, may be seen for a 20NM leg at 0.7° RMS error. For a 10NM
leg, that cross track value would be 0.1NM or less.

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Summary

Review of the data for WMM2000, WMM2005, WMM2010, and WMM2015, confirms that the
coefficients used do not present errors greater than 3° in the area between N73° and S60°, except
in the specific areas defined for each model above.
For more information, visit the NOAA website:
https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/soft.shtml

Table 1: Specific software control number, model and part number

Base Year FMS SCN FMS Model HW Part No.

WMM2000 UNS-1E 2017-( )
801.[2][3][4][5]
901.[2][3][4][5] UNS-1Esp 2019-( )
UNS-1F 2192-( )
802.[0][1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] UNS-1L 2116-( )
902.[0][1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
UNS-1C+ 10172-( )

803.[0] UNS-1Csp+ 10192-( )

903.[0] UNS-1D+ 11922-( )
UNS-1K+ 11162-( )
WMM2005 803.[1][2] UNS-1E 2017-( )
903.[1][2]
UNS-1Esp 2019-( )
UNS-1F 2192-( )
UNS-1L 2116-( )
UNS-1C+ 10172-( )
UNS-1Csp+ 10192-( )
UNS-1D+ 11922-( )
UNS-1K+ 11162-( )
UNS-1Ew 3017-( )
1000.[0][1][2][3][4][5]
1100.[0][1][2][3][4][5] UNS-1Espw 3019-( )
UNS-1Fw 3192-( )
UNS-1Lw 3116-( )

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Table 1: Specific software control number, model and part number

Base Year FMS SCN FMS Model HW Part No.

WMM2010 UNS-1B+ 1190-( )
With MOD 19
UNS-1C 1017-( )
601.[1][2][3][4][5]
701.[1][2][3] [4][5] UNS-1Csp 1019-( )
602.[1][2] [3][4][5] UNS-1D 1192-( )
702.[1][2] [3][4][5]
UNS-1K 1116-( )
603.[0][1][2][3][4][5]
703.[0][1][2][3][4][5]
604.[0][1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
704.[0][1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
803.[3] UNS-1E 2017-( )
903.[3]
UNS-1Esp 2019-( )
UNS-1F 2192-( )
UNS-1L 2116-( )
UNS-1C+ 10172-( )
UNS-1Csp+ 10192-( )
UNS-1D+ 11922-( )
UNS-1K+ 11162-( )
1000.[6][7][8] UNS-1Ew 3017-( )
1100.[6][7][8]
UNS-1Espw 3019-( )
UNS-1Fw 3192-( )
UNS-1Lw 3116-( )
1001.[0][1][2] UNS-1Ew 3017-( )
1101.[0][1][2]
UNS-1Espw 3019-( )
1002.[0][1] UNS-1Fw 3192-( )
1102.[0][1] UNS-1Lw 3116-( )

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 SERVICE LETTER

WMM2015 801.[5] w/ MOD 23 UNS-1E 2017-( )

901.[5] w/ MOD 23
UNS-1Esp 2019-( )
802.[8] w/ MOD 23 UNS-1F 2192-( )
902.[8] w/ MOD 23 UNS-1L 2116-( )
UNS-1C+ 10172-( )
UNS-1Csp+ 10192-( )
UNS-1D+ 11922-( )
UNS-1K+ 11162-( )

NOTE: Once the MagVar tables are included with the navigation database, the
WMM will be the most current available for the following SCNs:
803.3/903.3, 1001.X/1101.X, 1002.X/1102.X.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Customer Support:

Address: Customer Support
Universal Avionics
3260 E. Universal Way
Tucson, AZ 85756-5097
Ph: +1 520 573 7627
Ph: +1 800 595 5906
Fax: +1 520 295 2384
Email: customersupport@uasc.com

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