LAAS Concept of Operations

Jerry Bradley, Dieter Guenter, James A. Nixon and Ralph D. Sexton

Abstract:	The Operational Concept for Global Positioning System/Local Area Augmentation System (GPS /LAAS) was written for the SOIT to support the RTCA, Inc., Special Committee 159 in developing the Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for GPS/LAAS. It also contributed to the development of the LAAS system specification by the FAA, in parallel with operational needs. Avionics and software engineers and integrators were given additional operational expertise and a focal point to resolve issues that would affect the pilots' understanding and usage of this aircraft navigational system. The GPS Integrated Product Team in conjunction with the Flight Standards Service formed a working group to write the operational concept document. The charter of the Operational Concept group is to provide a common concept for the operational implementation of GPS/LAAS. The objective of the team is to support FAA and industry to establish specifications for equipment that meets present and future operational requirements of the national airspace, the user, and the service provider. The team has been meeting at since February 1998, and has produced a living document that continues to evolve and addresses industry and FAA issues as they arise during the progression of the vision of LAAS implementation. The team serves as the focal point for addressing questions and issues from not only the RTCA, but from various industry sources including avionics manufacturers, airlines, airline pilot organizations, aircraft manufacturers, airport management, air traffic, and consultants to all facets of the aviation industry. This paper highlights important aspects of the Operational Concept document that focus on the interaction of the aircrew with the GPS/LAAS, with special attention to some of the unique characteristics of the integration of the system into a FMS/RNAV configured flight deck. It will describe the safety and economic benefits of LAAS to include: 1. Normal operations mode: a. all categories of approach; b. missed approach; c. complex integrated RNAV/LAAS approach operations. 2. Near term achievable benefits: d. departure routes; e. RNAV integration of GPS/LAAS position, velocity and time (PVT); f. low visibility surface operations. 3. Future concepts for the GPS/LAAS to include: g. three and four dimensional approach operations; h. data link broadcast of complex approach paths; i. pilot/controller data link for negotiated terminal routes and approach procedures; j. dynamic reconfiguration of terminal routes to meet changing traffic and weather conditions. The work of the Operational Concept Team continues to be the prime resource to resolve operational issues arising during development and implementation of the GPS/LAAS. This will serve as the basis for planning and implementation, including innovations to support future concepts, of GPS/LAAS into the National Airspace System.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2000 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 26 - 28, 2000 Pacific Hotel Disneyland Anaheim, CA
Pages:	200 - 209
Cite this article:	Bradley, Jerry, Guenter, Dieter, Nixon, James A., Sexton, Ralph D., "LAAS Concept of Operations," Proceedings of the 2000 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, CA, January 2000, pp. 200-209.
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