TMMT
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- Jun 25, 2002
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JULY 9 , 2002
FAA Plans Shift to One Type of Instrument Approach
In a significant change designed to squeeze more capacity from available airspace and increase flight safety, the FAA plans to replace 18 different kinds of instrument approaches with a single, ILS-like procedure. Based on required navigation performance (RNP) and area navigation concepts, the new RNP RNAV approaches will use the aircraft FMS to create procedures that eliminate stepped or non-precision approach paths. In their place, longer stabilized glideslope approaches using ILS-like cockpit guidance and procedures will emerge. The major benefits to operators of properly equipped aircraft will be reduced training costs, lower approach minimums and, presumably, enhanced safety. To take advantage of the RNP RNAV procedures, which also will include SIDs and STARs, no new avionics should be required for corporate aircraft equipped with modern flight management systems. Bob Blouin, NBAA v-p of operations, pointed out that the large majority of his organization’s members are already RNAV-equipped. He stressed that widespread industry training over the next several years will be a critical component in the transition to RNP RNAV approaches.
FAA Plans Shift to One Type of Instrument Approach
In a significant change designed to squeeze more capacity from available airspace and increase flight safety, the FAA plans to replace 18 different kinds of instrument approaches with a single, ILS-like procedure. Based on required navigation performance (RNP) and area navigation concepts, the new RNP RNAV approaches will use the aircraft FMS to create procedures that eliminate stepped or non-precision approach paths. In their place, longer stabilized glideslope approaches using ILS-like cockpit guidance and procedures will emerge. The major benefits to operators of properly equipped aircraft will be reduced training costs, lower approach minimums and, presumably, enhanced safety. To take advantage of the RNP RNAV procedures, which also will include SIDs and STARs, no new avionics should be required for corporate aircraft equipped with modern flight management systems. Bob Blouin, NBAA v-p of operations, pointed out that the large majority of his organization’s members are already RNAV-equipped. He stressed that widespread industry training over the next several years will be a critical component in the transition to RNP RNAV approaches.