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| [November 13, 2012] |
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GE Aviation Implementing RNP to ILS for Air China at Xi Chang
KENT, Wash. & ZHUHAI, Guangdong China --(Business Wire)--
GE Aviation is designing and deploying the first Required Navigation
Performance-Authorization Required (RNP-AR) to Instrument Landing System
(ILS) flight procedure in China for Air China Southwest. Merging the two
technologies will provide more efficient routing and improved access for
flight operations at Xi Chang airport.
"Using GE's method of merging RNP to the ILS, operators can experience
the track mile reduction benefits of RNP with the lower decision
altitudes a precision landing system provides," said Giovanni Spitale,
general manager for GE Aviation's Air Traffic Optimization group. "Air
China Southwest will have continuous lateral and vertical guidance all
the way to the runway while navigating the challenging mountainous
environment of Western China."
The Xi Chang RNP to ILS procedure will save Air China Southwest up to 14
nautical miles per approach, compared to the conventional ILS procedure.
GE also designed an RNP AR approach to the non ILS-equipped runway,
reducing the decision height by more than 575 feet compared to the
existing approach. Because RNP paths rely on satellite-based navigation
technology, the airline does not have to rely on the outdated,
ground-based navigation aids in place at the airport, improving schedule
reliability.
Current operational problems at Xi Chang include weather related delays,
one-direction traffic, flight cancellations, and tail wind limitations
on the ILS runway. The GE-designed procedures will improve all-weather
operations and allow for arrivals and departures on both runways. On
departures, GE's RNP procedures provide engine-out protection throughout
the most critical time to the enroute structure. Xi Chang airport is
located in Sichuan province, southwest of Chengdu, in a five kilomete
wide (16,400 feet) valley at 1,588 meters (5,112 feet) elevation.
Since 2004, GE Aviation has worked closely with Air China and the CAAC
to implement a network of RNP AR procedures in China. GE has deployed
RNP paths at seven other Chinese airports for the airline, improving
access and schedule reliability while reducing fuel and track miles to
many of the mountainous regions it serves.
In July, GE
Aviation completed the world's first RNP AR to ILS with autoland flight
for LAN Airlines at Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport. The
technology lowers the aircraft landing minima at Lima to 100 feet when
the three elements are combined. The utilization of the RNP AR
transitions also enables aircraft to fly east of the airport in airspace
that was previously unused due to terrain constraints.
Click here
to download the GE white paper RNP to xLS: Implementation Today.
PBN technology allows aircraft to fly precisely-defined flight paths
without relying on ground-based radio-navigation signals. RNP
procedures, an advanced form of PBN technology, can be designed to
shorten the distance an aircraft has to fly en-route, to reduce fuel
burn and exhaust emissions and to reduce noise pollution in communities
near airports. Because of RNP's precision and reliability, the
technology can help air traffic controllers reduce flight delays and
alleviate air traffic congestion.
GE Aviation's Air Traffic Optimization Services group provides airlines,
air navigation service providers and airports with services to make the
way we fly more efficient. With Performance-based Navigation design and
consulting, high-resolution, digital airport maps, electronic terrain
and obstacle data, and airline-based flow management products, GE is
building the foundation to support air traffic modernization.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading
provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for
commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service
network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best
technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in
energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering,
moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For
more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com
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