Air China and Naverus Launch PBN Procedures at World’s Highest Airport

Performance Based Navigation Procedures Improve Operations for Scheduled Commercial Flights

An Air China crew has successfully demonstrated Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures at Bangda in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The new procedures, using Required Navigation Performance (RNP), will improve commercial air transport operations for regularly scheduled service at the world’s highest airport.

On Friday Dec., 12, with officials of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) observing, the Air China Airbus A319 successfully completed a series of tailored RNP approaches and departures designed by Naverus, Inc. of Kent, Wash. The success of the validation flights will result in CAAC approval for Air China to use PBN procedures in regular scheduled service to Bangda.

At an elevation of 14,219 feet, Bangda is the highest commercial airport in the world. Regular scheduled commercial flights to Bangda have been challenging, because of limited aircraft performance in the thin air and mountainous terrain, and because of weather ceiling and visibility requirements required by the conventional instrument landing system. The RNP procedures create new approach and departure paths that allow the aircraft to safely land and take off with lower ceilings and reduced visibility.

PBN uses specialized equipment aboard the aircraft to fly a defined path independent of ground-based navigation aids. Required Navigation Performance is an enhanced mode of PBN that guarantees the aircraft adheres precisely to the path. In Bangda, Naverus used RNP to ensure safe operations in the high altitude, mountainous surroundings.

“We’re very pleased these procedures will help improve scheduled air service to this remote region of the world,” said Naverus CEO Steve Forte. CAAC and Air China are world leaders in the adoption of Performance Based Navigation and have shown their commitment to providing safe, reliable air service to all of China.

The Bangda procedures are the latest in a series of custom-designed flight paths that Naverus has developed for Air China. Others include RNP procedures at Linzhi, Lhasa and Jiuzhaigou airports located in the mountainous region of Tibet Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province. Naverus is developing RNP approach and departure procedures for Air China at Kangding airport in Sichuan Province and Zhangiiajie in Hunan Province.

In addition to improving safety and access at mountainous airports, Performance Based Navigation can be used to reduce fuel burn, greenhouse gas emissions and aircraft noise. International aviation organizations and government authorities around the world recognize PBN as a basic building block of the next generation of airspace infrastructure.

Naverus is the global leader in the development and implementation of Performance Based Navigation and is working with airlines and air traffic management providers in China, South and Central America, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and Europe to implement PBN solutions.

Contacts

Naverus, Inc.
Ken Shapero, kshapero {at} naverus(.)com
+1-253-867-3955 (ofc)
+1-206-779-9064 (mobile)
www.naverus.com