CAA proposes extending requirement for basic area navigation to lower altitudes
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today announced its intention to require aircraft operating at lower levels of the UKs controlled airspace system to have the navigation equipment required by Basic Area Navigation (B-RNAV). The new policy will allow more efficient use of the UKs airspace and pave the way for changes to the system through the Future Airspace Strategy (FAS).
Aircraft meeting the B-RNAV requirements are able to fly with an improved level of accuracy, without the need to over fly ground-based navigation aids. This allows airspace planners and air traffic controllers to make more efficient use of the UKs busy airspace.
Aircraft are able to fly more direct routes to destinations rather than stick to pre-notified routes, leading to fuel savings and environmental gains, and controllers are able to dynamically manage the flow of aircraft in the knowledge that aircraft will be able to accurately keep to any route.
Aircraft operating on Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes above Flight Level 95 have been required to comply with B-RNAV since 1998. It is now intended that B-RNAV will be required for aircraft operating on ATS routes below this level from 7 April 2011.
CAA Director of Airspace Policy, Mark Swan, explained: Extending B-RNAV to lower levels of controlled airspace will mean that aircraft will be able to fly with greater accuracy and enable us to make the changes to the UKs airspace structure that are needed to ensure we maintain a safe and efficient system for all airspace users.
Aircraft are able to fly more direct routes to destinations rather than stick to pre-notified routes, leading to fuel savings and environmental gains, and controllers are able to dynamically manage the flow of aircraft in the knowledge that aircraft will be able to accurately keep to any route.
Aircraft operating on Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes above Flight Level 95 have been required to comply with B-RNAV since 1998. It is now intended that B-RNAV will be required for aircraft operating on ATS routes below this level from 7 April 2011.
CAA Director of Airspace Policy, Mark Swan, explained: Extending B-RNAV to lower levels of controlled airspace will mean that aircraft will be able to fly with greater accuracy and enable us to make the changes to the UKs airspace structure that are needed to ensure we maintain a safe and efficient system for all airspace users.
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