A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Training / Qualification; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Downwind for visual approach ELP to Runway 8 when dual GPS inoperative messages appeared. Cancelled master Caution Light and continued on to base turn calling for gear down and flaps 3 then full and Landing Checklist. I had not cleared ECAM for (LND; SIGNS BLUE; STS CHECKED...) landing checks to appear but did not become immediately clear what the problem was until after go-around initiated. Go-around initiated due to confusion which occurred during a high tempo phase of the landing and was in my opinion the safest course of action. First Officer resolved by clearing ECAM. A normal approach and landing followed shortly thereafter. No aircraft limits or ATC instructions exceeded. Detailed system knowledge ready to recall immediately.
Enroute to El Paso; given radio communications between other aircraft and ATC at that time; it was clear that there were GPS signal issues in the area. To be specific; ATC warned that GPS signals were being jammed in the El Paso area. Upon descent; we began to see indications that the GPS signal was; in fact; becoming unreliable. Upon turning base leg for landing to [Runway] 8R; we were unable to complete the Before Landing Checklist due to a master caution indication for loss of both GPS signals. Given the phase of flight and the close proximity to the landing runway; we felt that we should initiate a go-around in order to clear the ECAM and ensure that the Before Landing Checklist could be completed in a timely manner. After the go-around; we were able to clear the ECAM and complete the Before Landing Checklist prior to an uneventful visual approach and landing to [Runway] 8R. No aircraft limits were exceeded and we complied with all ATC instructions. This is the first time in my flying career that I have experienced or even heard of GPS signal jamming. Although it was in the NOTAMS; it still caught us by surprise as we really did not expect to lose all GPS signals at any point. It was a good thing the weather was good or this could have become a real issue. I assume that this GPS signal jamming was for military purposes; but it clearly has an adverse effect to civilian aircraft both in the en-route structure as well as during the approach and landing phase. Perhaps this type of testing could be done in the middle of the night in order to reduce the impact on commercial and civilian flights?
A319 flight crew experiences GPS signal jamming approaching ELP; which had been NOTAM'd and expected but still caught the crew off guard and resulted in a go-around.