Europe's Progress Towards a Full Scale LPV Implementation. Current Status (First Implementations), Lessons Learnt and Challenges for the Future

F. Javier de Blas, Aline Troadec, Carmen Aguilera, Pablo Haro, Miguel A. Sanchez

Abstract:	The EGNOS Safety of Life (SoL) Service was declared available by the European Commission on the 2nd of March 2011, this key milestone for the European Satellite Navigation gave way to the first EGNOS based procedures publication. The first European LPV procedure was published in Pau (France) and became operational on the 17th of March 2012, being meant to be the first step in Europe’s way towards a full scale LPV implementation. This paper will provide a complete overview of the European framework, recent developments and expected roadmap concerning LPV procedures implementation, starting with: - An introduction of the LPV concept (LPV approach is also called APV SBAS approach and is charted as an RNAV GNSS approach) together with a description of where the LPV approach fits into the global PBN concept (LPV identified as RNP APCH application down to LPV minima) being able to support the whole approach from the initial approach to the missed approach segments. - A complementary introduction of where LPV could fit into the European PBN Implementing Rule (PBN IR) currently under development, which is expected to set the regulatory basis for PBN implementation in Europe. - An outline of the well-known benefits obtained from the LPV approaches, which are the rationale for the 36th and 37th ICAO Assembly Resolutions (A36-23 and A37-11), illustrating these with the outcomes of the numerous pre-operational European projects. Moreover the paper will provide information on the EGNOS SoL Service evolution and planned enhancements. The improvements provided by the recently deployed EGNOS System Release (ESR) 2.3.1p will be described together with the current plans for the SoL Service extension and subsequent system releases deployment. This will further clarify where and when EGNOS-based operations are and will be enabled in Europe. On the basis of the pioneer European States’ experiences to complete their first LPV publications, this paper will step into the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) perspective providing: - A view of the regulatory framework in place to support LPV deployment; and - A detailed description of the current LPV implementation status in Europe and the ambitious national plans for LPV publications in the short/mid term, showing Europe’s expectations concerning the already mentioned ICAO objectives compliance for APV (including both APV SBAS and APV Baro-VNAV implementations). In addition, the paper will provide an insight into the LPV implementation from the airspace user perspective with: - A description of the airworthiness approval and operational criteria for LPVs: focusing on EASA AMC 20-28 which, by the ION meeting date, is most likely to be published (it is planned to be published in the second half of 2012). In line with it the paper will mention the AML STCs (All Models List Supplemental Type Certificate) validated by EASA for several receiver models and the efforts done by the Agency in the interaction with manufacturers and operators (specially in the field of general and business aviation) to ease the process of SBAS enabled receivers installation and approval. - Statistics/estimation of equipped users. The paper will survey all available data aiming to assess the SBAS enabled avionics market penetration and the number of airspace users equipped or planning to get equipped with SBAS certified avionics in Europe. The paper will also highlight the obstacles to LPV implementation together with all these lessons learned that are driving the European efforts to provide: - Guidance material and support to early adopters to assist the aviation community in the LPV implementation process. Mentioning for instance, the production of guidance material for the implementation of RNP APCH operations (addressing all required steps for RNP APCH procedures publication) by EUROCONTROL. - A coordinated approach, driven by all the existing support cells set up in different organizations (EUROCONTROL, Eurocae, ICAO, etc.) - Incentives to boost the adoption of this new operation in the aviation sector. EUROCONTROL TEN-T, EC FP7 Program and SESAR program funded projects will be mentioned highlighting their expected benefits and how they will contribute to accelerate EGNOS adoption by the European aviation community. Despite this paper is mainly LPV oriented, it will complement its content with a description of other SBAS based operations implementation and their implementation status. This will include Helicopter point in space (PinS) procedures, which are progressively being introduced providing clear benefits for Search and Rescue (SAR), SBAS Off Shore Approach Procedures (SOAP) or Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS); but also the use of SBAS for navigation and surface/airborne surveillance and its potential to enable advanced procedures in the future. The paper will finally identify the challenges for the future to enable the exploitation of the full potential of EGNOS based operations in aviation, with the ambition to follow the USA successful example in the implementation of WAAS based APV procedures, looking to future potential developments in Europe. The implementation of LPVs in visual aerodromes is a clear challenge for LPV’s benefits full exploitation as well. The minimum runway infrastructure required, the minimum level of Air Traffic Services needed or the eligibility of a privately owned airfield for LPV implementation are key issues to work on to drive the needed discussions in the applicable fora to trigger the corresponding requirements’ update to adapt the existing regulatory framework to the current and future global GNSS scenario.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2012) September 17 - 21, 2012 Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, TN
Pages:	266 - 276
Cite this article:	de Blas, F. Javier, Troadec, Aline, Aguilera, Carmen, Haro, Pablo, Sanchez, Miguel A., "Europe's Progress Towards a Full Scale LPV Implementation. Current Status (First Implementations), Lessons Learnt and Challenges for the Future," Proceedings of the 25th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2012), Nashville, TN, September 2012, pp. 266-276.
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