New Publications on LPV Operations Released

The GSA, along with the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), have published two new guides aimed at helping the aviation sector, and in particular ANSPs, airports and aircraft operators, take advantage of EGNOS within their operations.

How to get Operational Approval

The first publication serves as a ‘how-to’ guide for obtaining RNP APCH operational approval in Europe. Entitled How to Obtain RNP APCH Operational Approval to LPV Minima in Europe, the publication provides a set of simple guidelines for aircraft operators within the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) area to facilitate operational approval by their national authorities to perform Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (LPV) operations.

Technically known as RNP Approach procedures down to LPV minima, LPVs were introduced within the PBN concept as new approach operations based on SBAS (EGNOS in Europe), a technology providing augmentation to GNSS systems like GPS. This type of approach allows for ILS lookalike procedures down to a minimum as low as 200 feet without the need to install any ground infrastructure. As of November 2015, there are over 220 LPV procedures published in Europe, with plans for more than 440 by 2018.

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To take advantage of these procedures, operators typically need specific approval to fly them. For example, European CAT operators must apply for a specific approval (SPA) via their competent authority. This is because LPVs are a relatively new concept that require not only that the aircraft and its cockpit avionics have the corresponding airworthiness approval, but also that pilots have appropriate training, checking standards and operational procedures in place.

Granted, EASA is currently working to amend some of these regulations, eliminating the burden of having to apply for an SPA. However, operators will still be required to put the necessary operational procedures in place and amend their operational manuals accordingly to obtain approval from their authorities – as is the case for other instrument approach procedures.

To help guide you through the approval process, this How To guide provides step-by-step guidance and insight, covering such topics as:

• What are LPV Approach Procedures
• Current Means to Obtain LPV Operational Approval
• Preliminary Certification Requirements
• Operational Procedures and Operational Manual Amendments
• Crew Training and Training Package Update
• Application for Operational Approval
• EU Member State Singularities
• Mid-Term Evolution of European Regulation on PBN

The guide is free and can be downloaded here.

For ANSPs, Airports and Aircraft Operators

On the other side of the equation is the process of actually implementing LPV, for both ANSP/airports and aircraft operators, which is the focus of the second publication. Entitled Guidelines for ANSP/Airports and Aircraft Operators for LPV Implementation, this publication provides a set of generic guidelines for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), airport operators and aircraft operators within the ECAC area to facilitate the operational implementation of LPV operations.

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Implementing LPV procedures provides numerous operational benefits. For example, it reduces the trajectory dispersion, thus reducing the flight’s noise footprint and fuel consumption. More so, in some cases LPVs offer straight-in approaches where not otherwise possible when using conventional NPAs, not to mention having the potential to remove the need for circling approaches.

To ensure both airport and aircraft operators are able to take full advantage of these benefits, the Guidelines cover such topics as:

• EGNOS (system description, services, Safety of Life service, etc.)
• RNP APCH Down to LPV Minima within the ICAO Context
• LPV Implementation Drivers
• LPV Implementation Regulatory Framework
• Guidelines for ANSPs and Airports
• Guidelines for Aircraft Operators

The publication is free and can be downloaded here.

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