European GNSS Agency (GSA) funds 14 projects to help foster the implementation of EGNOS-based operations and LPV-200 procedures at European airports as part of its 2015 Aviation Call for Grants.
The GSA recently announced the projects selected for funding under its 2015 Aviation Call for Grants GSA/EEX.0030/2015. This second call brought great results, with 14 projects selected for funding, starting from July and August 2016.
The funded projects are expected to foster the design, development and operational implementation of European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS)-based operations, including LPV-200 (localiser performance with vertical guidance) procedures, at different European aerodromes, with an emphasis on the regional airports and heliports that general and business aviation operators depend upon.
In addition, the call also aims to support the development and installation of GPS/EGNOS-enabled avionics and grant airworthiness certification for required navigation performance approach (RNP APCH) procedures down to LPV minima and point in space (PinS), and to achieve the approval of Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) capabilities.
Specifically, the following results are expected:
- 40 LPV procedures at 18 airports
- 2 LPV-200 procedures at Italy’s Trento Airport
- 15 PinS LPV procedures
- 2 RNP 0.3 routes
- 44 aircraft retrofitted by 9 operators
- 4 avionics solutions (STC) development
- 3 flight simulator-type upgrades
- Development of EGNOS navigation and surveillance sensors for (RPAS) applications.
“These grants will ensure more European airports and more European operators are able to take full advantage of EGNOS procedures, meaning increased safety and more accessibility for everyone,” says GSA Head of Market Development GG Calini.
The total budget for the second call was EUR 6 million.
The funded projects are expected to foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS-based operations, including LPV-200 procedures. (Click to enlarge)
Increased safety
Lateral navigation (LNAV), LNAV/vertical navigation (VNAV) and LPV minima to runways 01 and 19
Approach to runway 19 to be designed with LPV-200 criteria
| Project name | Beneficiary | Proposal | Impact |
| AIRLA All Ireland LPV approach; project |
Irish Aviation Authority |
Significant reduction in the minima with reference to every NPA currently published in the Aeronautical information Publication (AIP) Significant reduction in operational costs for airlines operating at regional (non-state) airports |
LPV approach procedures at 9 state and regional airports in Ireland, with 21 procedures
Restructure the airspace to facilitate direct RNAV arrivals (from en-route to an LPV ‘T-BAR' type approach structure) for the planned runway in use
Increased safety
|
| London Oxford Airport |
Oxford Aviation Services Ltd |
Lateral navigation (LNAV), LNAV/vertical navigation (VNAV)and LPV minima to runways 01 and 19 Approach to runway 19 to be designed with LPV-200 criteria
|
Primary regional and business aviation airport in the Thames Valley, identified by European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) members as a priority for LPV and operators already with LPV capabilities |
| Glasgow Prestwick Airport |
Glasgow Prestwick airport Limited |
LPV, LNAV and LNAV/VNAV to runways 21, 12 and 30 Replace, overlay and replicate the current conventional procedures
|
Substantially improved minima on runway 21 and a much more accurate arrival than currently provided by the non-directional beacon (NDB) or surveillance radar approach (SRA) |
| Cumbernauld Airport |
Cormack Aircraft Services Limited |
LPV on both runway ends (currently non-instrument) |
Main operating base for Hebridean Air Services (LPV-capable), 2 ATOs, 2 rotorcraft operators and many private aircraft owners
|
| GAGA GNSS approaches for general aviation |
AOPA UK Helios |
LPV approach procedures at 3 general aviation (GA) airports: Haverfordwest, Gloucestershire and Stapleford |
Increased availability of instrument procedures for GA community Support to training needs for instrument-rated (IR) pilots Attract new commercial customers
|
| London Southend and Carlisle Lake District Airports |
London Southend Airport company Limited Stobart Air Limited |
Implementation of LPV-200 at Southend and LPV + PinS at Carlisle |
Considerable business aviation traffic, with many LPV-capable aircraft Increased accessibility and safety compared to current NPA (Carlisle) Attract new commercial operations based on better accessibility
|
| ENAC |
Ecole Nationale de l’aviation Civile |
Retrofit of 12 BE58 aircraft with GTN650 Upgrade of 3 BE58 Flight Navigation Procedures Trainer (FNTP) II simulators All Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (ENAC) flight instructors’ IR-ME training and operational feedback sessions to authorities, other ATOs and airlines
|
EGNOS adopted by one of the leading flight training organisations in Europe for professional instrument rating training Expected total number of LPV landings on an annual basis is 6 200 in flight landings and 4 900 in simulator Integration and promotion of LPV procedures in the ATO with the largest training fleet in Europe |
| Nextjet | Nextjet AB |
EGNOS LPV approach approved for installation in all Nextjet’s 10 Saab 340 platforms STC development by Scandinavian Avionics |
Large Scandinavian regional operator will be able to modernise and extend the flexibility of its Saab 340 operations, especially on small and remote airports Lower cost of operation, with positive effect on customers due to reduction in delays in bad weather conditions
|
| Svensk Pilotutbildning | Svensk Pilotutbildning AB |
Svensk Pilotutbildning, an ATO based at the Earth Science Geostationary Platform (ESGP) in Sweden, plans to upgrade 3 aircraft and 2 simulators Provide PBN/EGNOS/LPV to existing IR students and other customers |
ATO will make 1 250 in-flight LPV approaches on a yearly basis, within the normal training activities Majority of training flights will be performed at the home base (ESGP) with LPV on both runway ends; nearby airports will have LPV by 2016 Equipped simulators will allow cost-effective training for students
|
| Bristow |
Retrofit of 6 S92s and a second flight management system (FMS) to be LPV-capable Add LPV capabilities to aircraft already equipped with one FMS that are certified for RNAV 5, RNAV 1/PRNAV and RNP APCH with LNAV minima |
Major rotorcraft operator serving oil and gas (O&G) SAR and Arctic SAR. Bases currently are Stavanger, Bergen and Hammerfest. Stavanger and Bergen have current LPV published. Bergen is currently equipped with two PinS approaches for helicopters with LNAV minima only LPV adds such operational benefits as the possibility of fully coupled flight, potentially better minima and maybe steeper angles for further noise reduction
|
|
| PIONEERS 2: Early adoption of PinS rotorcraft procedures | Pildo Consulting S.L.; Austrocontrol; Christophorus; Flugrettungsverein; BMI-Flugpolizei; Norsk Luftamulanse; CHC helicopters | Rotorcraft retrofit |
Maximise the operational use of EGNOS in rotorcraft operations, enabling major helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) and off-shore operators with LPV capabilities, and also open the potential of EGNOS towards government operations (police and military)
|
| EGNOS in the Czech Republic | GNSS centre of Excellence; z.s.p.o.; DSA A.S.; F Air, SPOL. S.R.O.; RLP CR, S.P.; Aero-Taxi OKR, A.S. |
Retrofit of 13 GA aircraft, 2 rotorcraft and 2 flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) with EGNOS-enabled avionics Introduction of EGNOS for rotorcraft operations in CZ |
LPV capabilities at two industry leaders in CZ for pilot training, covering +/- 60 % of national market, and +/- 20 % of market share in Central Europe First PinS in CZ to be used by HEMS. Other hospitals waiting for operational feedback of this procedure First PinS at busy international airport
|
| Aeroporto Caproni | P.A.T. Nucleo; Elicotteri VVF; Aeroporto ‘Gianni; Caproni’; S.p.A. |
Design and validation of approach and departures supported by SBAS serving Trento Airport and the helipad at Cles hospital Specific point-to-point link to connect the instrument flight procedure (IFP)
|
Increased safety and continuity of the medical and emergency operations |
| REAL: RPAS EGNOS-assisted landings | Pildo Consulting S.L.; Sharper Shape Ltd; EuroUSC – Italia; FADA/CATEC |
Develop an EGNOS-based navigation and surveillance sensor, ready to be coupled with a generic RPAS autopilot and ground station system Contribute to the approval of innovative RPAS operations, supported by a safety case, which in turn is supported by high levels of accuracy and integrity provided by EGNOS
Validation in two scenarios: Scenario 1: transport for urgent medicines Scenario 2: Operations to extinguish fires
|
First 2015 Aviation Call for Grants GSA/GRANT/EGNOS/03/2014 producing results
Meanwhile, the 13 projects selected as part of the first call are all currently at various stages of implementation, with some already taking positive steps towards enabling EGNOS operations, particularly as they relate to regional aviation. Among these initial achievements is an upgrade of three simulators, with one having recently entered the market and the second to follow in the coming months. Another project is well on its way to successfully retrofitting a regional aircraft, making it to be another ‘ready to fly’ with EGNOS in 2017.
Overall, the first call is on course to publish up “first package “of 15 EGNOS procedures by the end of 2016.
Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).