Taipei FIR formulates the high-level, strategic Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) implementation plan in accordance with the Resolution (A36-23) by the 36th ICAO Assembly and Resolution (A37-11) by the 37th ICAO Assembly.
This AIC is with immediate effect and supersedes AIC 05/12.
This AIC is with immediate effect and supersedes AIC 05/12.
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Background
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The PBN Concept
In conventional air navigation, the aircraft is guided by receiving signals from ground-based navigation aids. The route design is therefore restricted by intrinsic characteristics of navigation aids. With the improvement of onboard equipment capabilities, satellite-based navigation and other new technologies, area navigation (RNAV) was derived, fulfilling the idea of point-to-point flight.
Navigation specification, accompanied with diversified types of RNAV, became complicated, causing perplexity in application as well as repeated investment in both manpower and finance in all walks of aviation industry; therefore the ICAO has presented the integrated solution of performance-based navigation (PBN).
Under the PBN concept, the integrated navigation specifications are classified into two groups: RNAV and RNP. -
Effect and Benefits of PBN
- To improve the safety of flight operations by providing accurate, predictable and repeatable flight path;
- To improve all-weather operations and flight schedule reliability, and ensure safe operations at airports surrounded by complex terrain;
- To achieve optimized flexible flight paths, increased aircraft payloads, reduced flight time;
- To be environmentally progressive by reducing aircraft noise and emissions through computerized stable climb and descent operations;
- To increase traffic flows and airspace capacity/efficiency by means of parallel routes and flexible arrival and departure flight paths within terminal areas;
- To improve the overall economic benefits of operations by reducing ground-based navigation infrastructure investment and operational costs.
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Purpose of the PBN Implementation Plan
- To specify CAA's PBN implementation planning and timeframes;
- To specify the PBN operational requirements in Taipei FIR, including the PBN navigation specifications for en route and terminal areas;
- To define PBN operational requirements to avoid improper deployment of ground-based navigation aids and constant modifications of on-board avionics;
- To identify guidelines for air navigation service provider (ANSP) and airspace-users to realize the steps and phases required for implementing PBN operations within the planned environment, infrastructure, and time frame.
- This implementation plan focuses on how to make use of the progress of navigation capability, to increase operational efficiency and capacity, and to improve overall safety at the same time.
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The PBN Concept
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Scope of the PBN Implementation Plan
Most of the foregoing challenges can be considerably resolved through application of PBN concepts and techniques. In order to resolve these challenges to reach the goal of PBN, the scope includes:- To develop a regulatory system consistent with global standards;
- To establish operators' capability on PBN;
- To gradually restructure airways from conventional navigation to PBN and interface airways effectively with neighboring FIRs;
- To reorganize airspace into upper and lower airspace with new operation rule;
- To optimize military and civil airspace in a balanced approach;
- To implement RNAV or RNP SIDs, STARs and approaches in the terminal areas, and to implement RNP AR approaches in airports where the operational needs justify;
- To upgrade the CNS facilities and equipment along with development of new navigation technologies.
- With consideration of the PBN capability and demand of existing fleet, and with reference to the regional PBN progress, the CAA developed the Taipei FIR PBN Implementation time frames as the table below. The implementation of PBN will fall into three phases: Near Term (~2012), Medium Term (2013~2019) and Long Term (2020~2025). RNAV and RNP operations will be implemented step by step for en route and terminal areas within the Medium Term, and in the Long Term GNSS is expected to be the primary navigation structure.
Note:
- Supporting documents for some of the navigation specifications listed in ICAO PBN Manual are still under development, yet they are already included in the implementation planning. The adaptation will depend on actual publication progress.
- CDO: Continuous Descent Operation
- Baro-VNAV: Barometric Vertical Navigation
- RNP AR APCH : RNP Authorization-Required Approach
- The ADs providing Baro-VNAV approach in near term include: Taoyuan, Songshan, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Magong, and thus the goal for near term is completed.
- Those navigation specifications listed in ICAO PBN Manual but not adopted in this table are still to be considered in the future where operational need requires.