Precision Approach Procedures with General Aviation Aircraft and Helicopter at Braunschweig Research Airport

Abstract

AbstractThe European funded project “GNSS Solutions for Increased GA and Rotorcraft Airport Accessibility Demonstration—GRADE” is a very large demonstration (VLD) project within the SESAR2020 program. In the context of this VLD, several SESAR solutions are demonstrated in simulation and real flight test campaigns. This paper presents the demonstration and evaluation of capabilities of a common used general aviation (GA) aircraft, namely Cessna 172N, performing different precision approach procedures. In parallel, an EC135 helicopter is demonstrating the possibilities of point in space (PINs) approaches. The project team consists of European partners representing different stakeholders involved in air traffic. Initially, fast time simulations took place where air traffic controllers were confronted with aircraft approaching on curved approaches paths using performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures. A flight test campaign has been conducted in July and September 2019 in Braunschweig. The two project partners TU Braunschweig (TUBS) and German Aerospace Centre (DLR) conducted several approaches in parallel using a GA aircraft (TUBS) and a research helicopter (DLR) in order to demonstrate a simultaneous non-interfering (SNI) approach to the Braunschweig airport.KeywordsPrecision approach proceduresGeneral aviationDemonstration of novel SESAR approach procedures