Opinion 10/2016

Performance-based navigation implementation in the European air traffic management network

This Opinion addresses safety, interoperability, proportionality and coordination issues related to the implementation of performance-based navigation (PBN) within the European airspace.

The specific objective is to ensure a safe, efficient and harmonised implementation of specific International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s PBN specifications and functionalities in the European air traffic management network (EATMN). The proposal extends the PBN implementation requirements beyond the 24 EU high-density terminal manoeuvring areas (TMAs), as required by Regulation (EU) No 716/2014 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Pilot Common Project Regulation’), and mitigates the risks associated with a non-harmonised implementation, thus ensuring a smooth transition to PBN operations.

This Opinion includes a proposal that air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and aerodrome operators implement:

  • PBN approach procedures with vertical guidance (APV) that conform to the requirements of the RNP approach specification (RNP APCH) at all instrument runway ends (IREs) which are not served by precision approach procedures before 30 January 2020;
  • PBN standard instrument departure (SID)/standard instrument arrival (STAR) and air traffic service (ATS) routes as required to meet locally defined performance objectives that conform to the RNAV 1 specification or the RNP1 specification including the use of additional functionalities, as of 6 December 2018;
  • PBN requirements for the transition between the en route network and the SIDs/STARs to be consistent with the SIDs/STARs served; and
  •  PBN requirements in support of rotorcraft operations in conformity with the RNP 0.3 specification.

Aircraft operators wishing to operate along these routes and procedures will be required to ensure that their aircraft and flight crew are qualified for the required PBN operations.

The proposed changes are expected to improve safety, ensure a harmonised implementation of PBN operations that are consistent with the ATM Functionality AF 1 — ‘Extended AMAN and PBN in high density TMAs’ of the Pilot Common Project Regulation and support the implementation of the European Air Traffic Management Master Plan.