What is a disadvantage of terrain contour matching systems?

Terrain contour matching systems are designed to enhance navigation by comparing the aircraft's altitude and position against a pre-loaded terrain map. A key disadvantage associated with these systems is that they can be expensive to implement, particularly because they require a detailed database of topographical information and sophisticated equipment to process this data.

The need for specialized sensors and data integration means that the overall cost for installation and maintenance can be significant. This expense can be a barrier for some operators, making it one of the main disadvantages of terrain contour matching systems. Understanding the complexity and the cost associated with setting up and maintaining such systems is crucial when evaluating their overall utility in flight operations.