NATS to introduce GBAS
Air traffic service provider NATS is to introduce Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) technology.
NATS is working with Norwegian company Indra Navia, a leading airport and air traffic management (ATM) technology provider, to provide airports with a ‘one stop shop’ offering.
GBAS supports GNSS local augmentation at airport level by providing enhanced levels of service for approach, landing, departure and surface operations - giving integrity assurance as well as increased accuracy. Comprising ground and aircraft subsystems, it is intended primarily to support precision runway approaches.
Typical (95%) horizontal (H) and vertical (V) accuracy and time-to-alert (TTA) figures are:
- Initial, Intermediate and Non-Precision (NPA) Approaches and Departure - H 220m, V N/A, TTA 10s
- Non Precision Approach with vertical guidance (NPV-I) - H 220m, V 20m, TTA 10s
- Non Precision Approach with vertical guidance (NPV-II) - H 16m, V 8m, TTA 6s
- Category I (CAT-I) Precision Approach - H 16m, V 4-6m, TTA 6s
The companies explain that this will prove invaluable to any capacity-constrained airport - providing a wide range of approach routes supported by a single system. This would make it possible for airlines to reduce flying time and save fuel, whilst also reducing noise for residents near an airport through the use of higher approach angles.
Details and a description of GBAS principles from the NATS and ESA links below . .