Segmented steep precision approaches based on GLS

Abstract

As the international air traffic becomes more and more complex there is a growing demand for new operational procedures. Especially quiet and fuel efficient approaches are desired. As a Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) provides more flexibility than current precision landing systems, it is identified as a potential main technology for providing different approach procedures tailored for the demands at a special location. Especially steep precision approaches have a high potential for noise reduction as the aircraft stays at a higher altitude for a longer time. A GBAS uses GPS reference receivers to calculate corrections for the observed ranges of the satellite signals. Together with a VHF Data Broadcast that transmits the corrections as well as one or multiple desired approach paths the GBAS becomes a precision approach system (GLS). The possibility of broadcasting multiple approaches for a single runway end offers approaching aircraft to choose the most efficient and quiet approach that can be operationally achieved with the respective type of aircraft. As steep approaches with a single glide path angle introduce some operational limitations, the flexibility of a GLS offers the design and the execution of segmented steep precision approaches which are a compromise between the possible efficiency and the introduced operational limitations.