An operational concept flying GLS approaches using satellite-based augmentation systems

Abstract

AbstractA new converter technology allows suitably equipped aircraft to use data provided by the satellite-based augmentation system in receivers originally designed for the ground-based augmentation landing system. For these aircraft, that system enables a lower decision altitude and, hence, improved access to airports. To make this technology usable, air crews require an operational concept and the flight crew has to be presented with the appropriate information in the form of approach charts. Two different possibilities for an operational concept were developed and the corresponding approach charts created. One option is a modified area navigation approach chart, to which the specific information is added. The other chart is an entirely separate procedure for the approach. These two options were tested with airline pilots in an Airbus A320 full-flight training simulator. During the simulator flights, aircraft performance data was recorded and the participants filled in questionnaires regarding workload and quality of the operational concept. The results show different behavior during the intercept of the final course, but all approaches remained within the required limits. The questionnaires revealed that the workload is higher during the area navigation variant and that all participants prefer the separate ground-based augmentation landing system variant.