True, but even the FAA admits (in Kendel's link) that they can't completely do away with VOR service. There goal is to reduce service to a minimum (yet to be determined) by 2020. That means there will still be some "needed" VOR's beyond 2020. Personally, I'm still equipped for VOR and have GPS (which has failed me in the past). As long as VOR is still available, I will use it. No reason to remove a working system. I doubt that I will ever need to "upgrade" to ADS-B, anyway!
+1.
From the report: <<"
...Analysis indicates about half the VORs could be discontinued and provide a level of the service with no point further than 77nm from a VOR, no airport with a VOR/ILS approach more than 100nm from any point. VORs in western mountainous area, Alaska, Hawaii, other islands/territories retained...">>
I'm not so sure I would go so far as to buy a brand-new navcom, but a nice used one still makes sense.
As for me, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, I (and several other pilots) had planned for weeks for a 300 NM trip to Chino, CA for the AOPA fly-in. Plan was to leave at dawn. Wouldn't you know it -- a 700+ foot layer of calm marine overcast -- 800 foot ceiling, 1500 foot tops. No problemo. File IFR using iPad/Foreflight; get clearance from TRACON via iPhone; and I'm on my way via E16 RWY 14 departure procedure. I used the VOR for exactly five minutes until I broke out the top, canceled IFR, and flew the rest of the way VFR in sunny blue skies.
However, when I got to Chino, I find out that, unexpectedly, there is still a -- you guessed it -- calm marine layer hanging over the entire L.A. basin. Planes are turning around and canceling their trips left and right. I ask for a pop-up clearance to Chino, and they guide me right in via KCNO ILS RWY 26R, safely, no fuss, no muss. All using my simple, trusty KX-155 + KI209 (with a little help from my iPad). And, no complex, expensive GPS system required.
Most of the aforementioned systems will still be in place -- for me at least -- after the year 2020. VOR/ILS/LOC still is very much in use, and very useful, and will be well beyond the year 2020.
As for ADS-B...thankfully my home-base airport is outside of Class B or C. I'll probably go without it.
