ASTM F3072-26 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM F3072-26 — Standard Guide for Intermediate Land GNSS Receiver Use (GNSS-II) Endorsement. This guide establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to navigate on land and on small bodies of water using a GNSS receiver and to be endorsed as GNSS-II (Intermediate Land GNSS Receiver Use).

Abstract

F3072-26 specifies the essential competency elements (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for intermediate-level land GNSS receiver operation. It is intended as the minimum training endorsement for individuals who will navigate on land and small bodies of water using GNSS equipment; it is not a complete training program but may be used to develop or evaluate one. The guide emphasizes practical navigation tasks, limitations of GNSS, and the need for complementary navigation tools and organizational (AHJ) authority.

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: January 1, 2026 (record updated January 13, 2026).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 33.070.40 (Satellite navigation / GNSS).
• Edition / version: F3072-26 (current revision).
• Number of pages: 3 pages; DOI 10.1520/F3072-26.

Key bibliographic and status details above are taken from the ASTM product record and public standards listings.

Scope

This guide applies to use of a GNSS receiver for navigating on land (on and off roads) and on small bodies of water where GNSS signals are available. It covers navigation in environments such as wilderness and disaster areas where local aids may be lost. It explicitly does not apply to navigation on large bodies of water (sea) or in the air, nor does it replace traditional navigation tools — map and compass are recommended as backups. The guide sets minimum endorsement requirements and allows Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to add further requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Minimum knowledge: GNSS principles, system limitations, signal availability, common error sources, and basic GNSS terminology (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou).
• Skills: waypoint entry and management, route planning and following, position interpretation, use of receiver modes, battery/antennas management, and degraded-signal techniques.
• Abilities: safe decision-making based on GNSS data, choosing appropriate backup navigation (map & compass), and operating in environments with limited infrastructure (disaster, wilderness).
• Endorsement outcome: demonstration of required knowledge/skills to be GNSS-II endorsed; testing/evaluation method (written, oral, or practical) is left to the AHJ.
• Limitations and exclusions: not for maritime (open sea) or aviation navigation; additional AHJ requirements may apply.

These topics summarize the guide’s minimum competency requirements and practical limitations.

Typical use and users

Typical users include search-and-rescue personnel, wildfire and forestry crews, emergency responders, park and wilderness guides, field technicians, incident command staff, and training organizations that certify GNSS competency for land-based operations. Organizations use the guide to create or evaluate training curricula and to endorse personnel for intermediate GNSS navigation tasks.

Related standards

Related ASTM standards and documents referenced in the revision work include the prior F3072 edition (e.g., F3072-14 / F3072-20 series) and related terminology/definitions standards referenced for alignment (work items have noted alignment with F1993 and removal of definitions in F3222). Practitioners often consult companion standards on GNSS terminology, receiver performance, and training program development when implementing this guide.

Keywords

GNSS, GPS, GNSS-II, land navigation, waypoint, route planning, wilderness navigation, small bodies of water, endorsement, training guide, AHJ, satellite navigation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F3072-26 is a short (3-page) guide that defines the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for an intermediate-level land GNSS receiver endorsement (GNSS-II). It is intended to be used by trainers and Authorities Having Jurisdiction to endorse personnel.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers GNSS use for navigation on land and on small bodies of water, including waypoint and route management, recognizing GNSS limitations, and recommended backup practices (map & compass). It excludes maritime (large bodies of water) and aviation navigation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Emergency services, search-and-rescue teams, land-management and forestry personnel, outdoor guides, field technicians, and training organizations that certify personnel for intermediate GNSS navigation tasks.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of early 2026 this is the current, active version (F3072-26), which updates earlier editions (e.g., the 2014/2020 editions). Records show the 2026 revision as active. Organizations should check their QA records/AHJ policies for adoption dates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes—F3072 is part of ASTM’s F32 committee outputs addressing field operations and navigation training; it also relates to other ASTM documents covering GNSS terminology, training definitions, and receiver use levels. Revision work items reference alignment with related standards such as F1993 and F3222.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: GNSS, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, navigation, waypoint, GNSS-II, endorsement, land navigation, wilderness, training.