Validation of the WAAS RNAV and VNAV Approach Precision by Using Category A and B Aircraft with Commercial WAAS Receiver

Y-R.P. Huang, R. Xiao, J. Fagan

Abstract:	This paper presents the results of additional Category A and B flight tests conducted by FAA AFS-450 at the Oklahoma City Airport (KOKC) and University of Oklahoma Airport (KOUN) to validate the precision of the WAAS RNAV/VNAV approach. The result of this research is part of the development of standards and criteria essential to the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The study investigates the vertically guided WAAS approach operation and the pilot performance using the Garmin GNS 430W to generate the approach. The validation of the commercial implementation of the WAAS RNAV and VNAV for use on approaches to landing guidance has never been done before. The tests were conducted using Category-A and Category-B aircraft at the University of Oklahoma. The research includes and evaluation of the Total System Error (TSE), Flight Technical Error (FTE), and Navigation System Error (NSE) during the approach, a variety turns, and holding patterns part of a published approach. All flight tests are manually flown with the WAAS Box being the sole means of navigation. Each of the approaches is terminated by a low fly over of the runway centerline to simulate an actual landing. Pilot workload will be evaluated in the controlled airspace when using the WAAS receiver. Sixty Category A and Sixty Category B flight sorties are used to verify the baseline data established by earlier flight tests using prototype WAAS signal in space and airborne components. The analysis contained as part of this research will support the FAA flight standard in the validation of the baseline for WAAS TERPS criteria. The WAAS VNAV instrument approach tests help to establish obstacle protection surfaces and minimum decision heights for the WAAS VNAV procedure. The results of WAAS procedures can assess the risk of collision with obstacles in specific runway and obstacle environments as well as the evaluation of the fly ability of the approaches by a wide variety of aircraft.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 23rd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2010) September 21 - 24, 2010 Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon Portland, OR
Pages:	1465 - 1471
Cite this article:	Huang, Y-R.P., Xiao, R., Fagan, J., "Validation of the WAAS RNAV and VNAV Approach Precision by Using Category A and B Aircraft with Commercial WAAS Receiver," Proceedings of the 23rd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2010), Portland, OR, September 2010, pp. 1465-1471.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In