New FAA AC re: designing company OEI IAP, MA, and balked landing procedures

[FL420]

http://www.bluecoat.org/reports/FAA-AC120-91.pdf

Subject: Airport Obstacle Analysis Date: 5/5/06
Initiated by: AFS-400
AC No: 120-91

PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) describes acceptable methods and guidelines for developing takeoff and initial climb-out airport obstacle analyses and in-flight procedures to comply with the intent of the regulatory requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121, §§ 121.177, 121.189, and part 135, §§ 135.367, 135.379, and 135.398 and other associated one-engine-inoperative requirements relating to turbine engine powered airplanes operated under parts 121 and 135………….

……This AC applies to operations conducted under part 121 and operations of large transport and commuter category airplanes conducted under part 135, with particular emphasis on transport category turbine and reciprocating engine powered airplanes which meet the certification regulations applicable since August 29, 1959 (SR422B). Airplanes meeting earlier performance requirements or other types of airplanes may use criteria and methods equivalent to those described by this AC, provided they properly account for the performance specified by the airplane flight manual (AFM). Other operators (e.g., part 91 turbojet operators) may use the 5/5/06 AC 120-91 information in this AC as applicable to that operator’s needs and requirements, as long as the resulting operations are otherwise consistent with applicable regulations.

 

[Groucho]

Page 3 of this AC note talks about lateral seperation in the takeoff and go-around flight path. I just did a quick once over of this AC, nothing more boring than FAA data, and couldn't get very far through it.

This AC may be paving the way for "canned" GPS, or FMS procedures. We at US have canned departure procedures for DCA that are loaded in the FMS. These procedures and tracks are good for engine out operations as long as RNP =.3 guidance is available. The DCA RWY 1 Northwest noise abatement departure goes from a complicated nav/heading/dme shuffle to an almost idiot proof "fly the nav routing". You just follow the little line on the PFD and the flight director in either single or dual engine config and everything is nice.

There may be more of these types of operations possible in the future for operators with increased nav accuracy and compatible FMS's. It sure makes life easy.