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ZLA airspace representative reported DOD GPS testing that caused an aircraft to deviate off course. Representative reports that GPS testing does not include facility in concurrence process.

Narrative:

[An emb-175] deviated from the aircraft's flight plan due to active GPS testing by the DOD. The DOD was GPS testing at the BZA065035 as a part of yps GPS 18-02. [The emb-175] was southeast bound proceeding over pmd. Approximately 18 miles northwest of the pmd VOR; [the emb-175] turned to the east towards the R2508 complex. The R17 controller noticed the off course turn and took action to vector the aircraft away from the restricted airspace. The PIC of [the emb-175] stated the off course turn was caused by GPS testing.in the past field facilities were allowed to concur or non-concur on GPS testing based on the time of the proposed events and the potential effect on NAS traffic. However; the agency has removed the field facility from the concurrence process. Every facility has determined when GPS testing is less impactful to the NAS and more likely to be approved. This testing was being conducted during ZLA's 'yellow times' when these type of tests are sometimes approved. However; the agency has concurred with testing in our 'red times'; when these type of operations are never approved; for current operations during [military operations] in the nevada test and training ranges. ZLA is 52% sua and over 75% of all GPS testing in the NAS is in ZLA's fir; it is imperative for the safety of the NAS that the decision to allow GPS testing be left at the field facility level.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZLA airspace representative reported DOD GPS testing that caused an aircraft to deviate off course. Representative reports that GPS testing does not include facility in concurrence process.

Narrative: [An EMB-175] deviated from the aircraft's flight plan due to active GPS Testing by the DOD. The DOD was GPS Testing at the BZA065035 as a part of YPS GPS 18-02. [The EMB-175] was southeast bound proceeding over PMD. Approximately 18 miles NW of the PMD VOR; [The EMB-175] turned to the east towards the R2508 complex. The R17 controller noticed the off course turn and took action to vector the aircraft away from the restricted airspace. The PIC of [The EMB-175] stated the off course turn was caused by GPS Testing.In the past field facilities were allowed to concur or non-concur on GPS Testing based on the time of the proposed events and the potential effect on NAS traffic. However; the Agency has removed the field facility from the concurrence process. Every facility has determined when GPS testing is less impactful to the NAS and more likely to be approved. This testing was being conducted during ZLA's 'Yellow Times' when these type of tests are sometimes approved. However; the Agency has concurred with testing in our 'Red Times'; when these type of operations are Never Approved; for current operations during [military operations] in the Nevada Test and Training Ranges. ZLA is 52% SUA and over 75% of all GPS Testing in the NAS is in ZLA's FIR; it is imperative for the safety of the NAS that the decision to allow GPS Testing be left at the Field Facility Level.

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.