FilGAPP
"Filling the gap" in GNSS Advanced Procedures and Operations
Background & Objectives
The EGNOS Safety-of-Life (SoL) service has been operational in Europe since 2 March 2011. The time has come for aviation to take advantage of it. One of the most important benefits that EGNOS SoL brings to aviation is the possibility to perform Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approaches. This milestone has been successfully achieved with the publication of LPV procedures in France, Switzerland, Guernsey and Germany. Consequently, it is possible to say that LPV is now a reality.
Why this project is important for EGNOS/GSA/SatNav?
Stimulation, development and demonstration of innovative advanced operations, procedures and applications for aviation based on GNSS.
Objectives
The following topics will be studied in this project for airport Terminal Areas (TMA), arrivals, final approaches and departures:
- Introduction of low RNP (e.g. 0.1) for traffic separation and RNP curved arrivals and approaches;
- Assessment of the transition of these arrivals, with these curved segments, to high-performance final approaches, especially to EGNOS-based APV final approaches, up to LPV minima, even the most advanced LPV200;
- Research of minimum noise departures, as enabled by Advanced RNP (A-RNP) and the use of curved segments with the RNP AR specification;
- Assessment of RNP AR in arrival and approach operations, especially the evaluation of the possibility for curved segments;
- GNSS time-based operations (4D) will be studied in order to contribute to the development of the operational concept and aiming at maximizing the Time of Arrival Control (TOAC) functionality of the A-RNP concept.
A key activity in the FilGAPP project is the study and assessment of how the different “GNSS Advanced procedures” perform, for the final approach and landing phases, specially the case of a seamless transition to an EGNOS-enabled LPV approach.
How does it work?
A strong consortium, with significant experience, has been set up with 10 partners from several European countries. Users, airlines, airports, ANSPs and related stakeholders are involved and are key to its success. Additionally, other stakeholders and countries have shown interest in the project. It is important to bear in mind that any new advanced and innovative concept must imply safety, operational and economic benefits to the users in order to be implemented in daily operations.
Next Steps
After the execution of flight trials, advanced procedures and operations will be demonstrated, so it will be time for Member States to publish these operations.
Work performed & results
A number of flight trials will be conducted in different scenarios, as a commitment to exploit the results achieved in the project. The flight trials will be performed in Pamplona and Valencia (Spain) on board a CRJ-1000NG operated by Air Nostrum, and Egelsbach and Saarbrücken (both in Germany) on board a Hawker 750 operated by Netjets for the former and a Boeing 737 operated by Air Berlin for the latter.
