PC12 captain experiences the loss of GPS signal; inside the FAF; on two consecutive RNAV 34 approach...

Narrative:

[We] were repositioning to bvy. The weather was overcast 500' with adequate visibility. The approach in use at bvy was RNAV 34. Shortly after passing wusup (the FAF) inbound; the aircraft GPS lost all signal and we consequently executed a missed approach. Upon being handed off to boston approach; we were vectored to lwm VOR. During this time; I pulled up the GPS status page to see that the unit wasn't communicating with any satellites. After approximately five minutes at 3000 feet; the unit started to receive signals and it came back online. After assuring we had raim [receiver autonomous integrity monitoring] a second time; we decided to try the approach again and encountered the same problem. For our third approach; we attempted the localizer 16 because I thought there was either a signal issue or something wrong with our GPS. We were unable to complete the approach due to low ceilings. After executing the missed approach for the localizer 16; I decided to return the aircraft to base unable to get into bvy and unaware of the GPS's issue. During these approaches; I did inquire to tower about the GPS signal loss and asked if there were any other reports of a similar issue. Towers response was that we were the first to attempt the approach for the day. It wasn't until swapping airplanes that I learned of the GPS signal issues in the area. There were no notams to this effect. It should also be noted that after swapping airplanes; we did return to bvy and flew the RNAV 16 approach without issue. However; as we were exiting runway 16 at taxiway a; the GPS lost all signal.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PC12 Captain experiences the loss of GPS signal; inside the FAF; on two consecutive RNAV 34 approaches to BVY and the flight returns to the departure airport. Although no NOTAMs were in effect; the reporter learned of GPS signal issues in the area.

Narrative: [We] were repositioning to BVY. The weather was overcast 500' with adequate visibility. The approach in use at BVY was RNAV 34. Shortly after passing WUSUP (the FAF) inbound; the aircraft GPS lost all signal and we consequently executed a missed approach. Upon being handed off to Boston Approach; we were vectored to LWM VOR. During this time; I pulled up the GPS Status page to see that the unit wasn't communicating with any satellites. After approximately five minutes at 3000 feet; the unit started to receive signals and it came back online. After assuring we had RAIM [Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring] a second time; we decided to try the approach again and encountered the same problem. For our third approach; we attempted the LOC 16 because I thought there was either a signal issue or something wrong with our GPS. We were unable to complete the approach due to low ceilings. After executing the missed approach for the LOC 16; I decided to return the aircraft to base unable to get into BVY and unaware of the GPS's issue. During these approaches; I did inquire to Tower about the GPS signal loss and asked if there were any other reports of a similar issue. Towers response was that we were the first to attempt the approach for the day. It wasn't until swapping airplanes that I learned of the GPS signal issues in the area. There were no NOTAMs to this effect. It should also be noted that after swapping airplanes; we did return to BVY and flew the RNAV 16 approach without issue. However; as we were exiting Runway 16 at Taxiway A; the GPS lost all signal.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1208377
Time
Date	201409
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	BVY.Airport
State Reference	NH
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PC-12
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Other RNAV (GPS) RWY 34
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	GPS & Other Satellite Navigation
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

PC12 captain experiences the loss of GPS signal; inside the FAF; on two consecutive RNAV 34 approaches to bvy and the flight returns to the departure airport. Although no notams were in effect; the reporter learned of GPS signal issues in the area.