An aircraft landing at Denver International Airport. Photo courtesy of Denver International Airport
The Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) Tactical Operations Committee (TOC) has approved a new set recommendations for the FAA to improve certain aspects of its implementation performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures throughout the National Airspace System (NAS).
According to RTCA, the TOC’s recommendations focus on the “future PBN route system in the high altitude, CONUS low altitude and Alaska low altitude.”
PBN is one of the four focus areas featured in the FAA’s latest update to its ongoing NextGen Implementation Plan. It provides a basis for designing and implementing repeatable flight paths and airspace redesign, which provides increased access to airspace near obstacles and terrain. Benefits include shorter and more direct flight paths, improved airport arrival rates, enhanced controller productivity, increased safety due to repeatable and predictable flight paths, more stabilized approaches, fuel savings and a reduction in aviation’s environmental impact.
According to RTCA, the recommendations are intended to “further mature” the future concept of operations for the FAA’s PBN route system. A report published by the committee summarizing the latest meeting notes that the group issued 92 total recommendations for helicopter PBN, terminal deficiencies, point-to-point operations and more.
The committee also approved a report focused on information that operators can use to improve flight planning as well as improve routes during flight. The recommendations to Aeronautical Information Management Modernization Segment 3 noted that access to near real-time status information on the availability of airspace as well as information on air traffic control’s standard operating procedures would improve operational performance for all operators.
A report focused on information that operators can use to improve flight planning as well as improve routes during flight. The recommendations to Aeronautical Information Management Modernization Segment 3 noted that access to near real-time status information on the availability of airspace as well as information on air traffic control’s standard operating procedures would improve operational performance for all operators.