B-RNAV OPERATIONS IN
EUROPEAN AIRSPACE
AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV)
• A method of navigation which permits
aircraft operation on any desired flight
path.
NAVIGATION
PERFORMANCE ACCURACY
• Total navigation accuracy based on the
combination of the navigation sensor error,
airborne receiver error, display error and
flight technical error. Also called system
use accuracy.
REQUIRED NAVIGATION
PERFORMANCE (RNP)
• A statement of the navigation
performance accuracy necessary
for operation within a defined
airspace.
RNP CONCEPT
• RNP concept applies to navigation performance
within an airspace and therefore affects both the
airspace and the aircraft.
• RNP is intended to characterize an airspace
through a statement of the achieved navigation
performance accuracy to be achieved within the
airspace.
Contd..
..RNP CONCEPT
• The development of the RNP concept
recognizes that the current aircraft
navigation systems are capable of achieving
a predictable level of navigation
performance accuracy and that a more
efficient use of available airspace can be
realised on the basis of this navigation
capability.
DEFINING RNP AIRSPACE
• RNP may be specified for a route, a number
of routes, an area, volume of airspace or
any airspace of defined dimensions which
an airspace planner or authority chooses.
Some potential applications of
RNP include..
• A defined airspace, such as MNPS airspace;
• A fixed ATS route, such as between Sydney,
Australia and Auckland, New Zealand;
• Random track operations, such as between
Hawaii and Japan; and
• A volume of airspace, such as a block
altitude on a specified route.
RNP ROUTES
• Fixed RNP Route - Permanent, published
ATS routes.
• Contingency RNP Routes - published ATS
routes during limited time periods (Hours,
Days, Seasons). They may also be
established to meet unusual, temporary
requirements arising at short notice.
CONTAINMENT VALUE
• The containment value is the distance from
the intended position within which flights
would be found for at least 95% of the total
flying time.
RNP TYPE
• The RNP type is based on a navigation
performance accuracy value which is
expected to be achieved at least 95% of the
time by the population of aircraft operating
within the airspace.
RNP TYPES
• Accuracy - 95% position accuracy in the
designated airspace.
– RNP1 + 1.0 NM (+ 1.85 km)
– RNP 4 + 4.0 NM (+ 7.4 km)
– RNP 12.6 + 12.6 NM (+ 23.3 km)
– RNP 20 + 20.0 NM (+ 37 km)
RNP COORDINATE SYSTEM
• ICAO has chosen World Geodetic System (WGS)-84 as
the common world geodetic datum as there is a need to :
– convert coordinates of airport key positions and
ground-based navigation aids to a common geodetic
reference datum;
– ensure that all such locations are surveyed to a common
standard which provides optimum accuracy, such as
that obtained by GNSS surveying techniques; and
– ensure that all FMS software is referenced to a common
geodetic datum.
BASIC RNAV
+ 5 NM ( + 9.26 km )
(95% CONTAINMENT VALUE)
B-RNAV Operations commenced in
European
airspace on the 23rd of April, 1998.
EUROCONTROL STANDARD
• The carriage of B-RNAV equipment approved for
RNP5 operations is mandatory on the entire ATS
route network in the ECAC area including
designated feeder routes (SIDs & STARs) in / out
of notified TMAs.
• RNP5 (B-RNAV) - effective 23rd April, 1998.
• RNP1 (Precision R-NAV) - to be implemented in
2005.
B-RNAV APPROVAL
• Airworthiness approval.
– Boeing 747-200/300/400
– Airbus 310-300
• Operational approval.
AIRBORNE NAVIGATION
EQUIPMENT
• They encompass..
– Systems which use external navigation aids
such as VOR / DME, DME / DME, GNSS,
OMEGA / very low frequency (VLF),
LORAN-C; and
– systems which are self-contained, e.g. INS, or
inertial reference systems.
Required Functions of B-RNAV
Navigation Equipment
• Continuous indication of aircraft position relative to track
displayed on a navigation display to both the pilot flying
and the pilot not flying.
• Display of distance and bearing to the next active (TO)
waypoint.
• Display of ground speed or time to the next active (TO)
waypoint.
• Storage of waypoints; minimum of 4.
• Appropriate failure annunciation of the RNAV system,
including sensors.
Recommended Functions of B-
RNAV Navigation Equipment
• Autopilot and / or Flight Director coupling.
• Present position in terms of latitude and longitude.
• “Direct To” function.
• Indication of navigation accuracy (e.g. quality factor ).
• Automatic channel selection of radio navigation aids.
• Navigation data base.
• Automatic leg sequencing and associated turn anticipation.
FLIGHT CREW CONTINGENCY
PROCEDURES
• In case of contingencies, (equipment failures,
weather conditions) crew should notify ATC about
the ability to maintain navigation accuracy, state
its intentions, co-ordinate a plan of action and
obtain a revised ATC clearance.
• If unable to notify ATC, crew should follow
established contingency procedures and obtain
ATC clearance as soon as possible.
