In 2018, the Regulation (EU) 2018/1048, known as the “PBN IR”, established the need for all Instrument Runway Ends (IREs) to publish RNP Approach Procedures no later than the 25th of January 2024, including LNAV, LNAV/VNAV and LPV minima lines. Indeed, conventional NavAids are expected to be decommissioned soon and ILS CAT-I approach procedures are only to be used as a contingency. To date, many LPV procedures have been published. Their number will continue to increase significantly as we get closer to the established deadline.
Whereas there is no specific requirement within the PBN IR for operators to ensure they will be ready to overcome these types of approach procedures, other EU Regulations do state that aircraft must be equipped and qualified according to the expected means for air navigation on the intended route or approach procedure. In this regard, EASA has recently published a communication to aircraft operators to highlight that “the PBN IR expressly forbids the use of conventional navigation procedures except in the event of contingencies”, therefore implying that “aircraft operators should consider equipping their aircraft with satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) avionics supporting RNP APCH operations to LPV minima”.
Thanks to the numerous variety of LPV implementation solutions available in the market (see the STC/SB tool webpage), Air Operators have several possibilities for implementing it on their fleet. Should you be interested in getting assistance to be guided through the implementation process and/or analysing specific cases, do not hesitate to contact us at EGNOS-adoption@essp-sas.eu.
You can read the full article on ESA Website here.