New instrument navigation on the way

CASA reports that a wide range of changes and improvements will be made to instrument flight rules (IFR) operations over the next six years.  

The changes will be driven by the global harmonisation of instrument flight rules navigation specifications and the introduction of aircraft approaches with vertical guidance. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has made this package of changes its highest priority, with benefits for safety, efficiency and the environment.  

Australia now has a detailed plan setting out the implementation of performance based navigation (PBN) and approaches with vertical guidance. The plan should be read by aircraft and airport owners and operators as it explains the technologies to be adopted and required infrastructure investments.

Instrument approaches with vertical guidance will provide an important improvement in safety, as they are eight times safer than an approach that provides only lateral guidance. Currently in Australia only about 10 per cent of aerodromes have vertical guidance in the form of an instrument landing system.  

Australia will adopt barometric vertical navigation – this uses satellite-based navigation for lateral guidance and barometric navigation for vertical guidance. These new approaches will be introduced at about 200 aerodromes over the next six years, with additional infrastructure required at many locations.

Read Australia’s performance based navigation plan here.