Global Air Navigation Priorities
Global air navigation conceptual roadmap and performance ambitions
The global air navigation conceptual roadmap and the performance ambitions are the basis for the review of the Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs) framework to guarantee alignment between global, regional and national plans and research and development programmes as well as industry initiatives. The roadmap is under development and will be presented to the Thirteenth Air Navigation Conference (AN-Conf/13).
Performance-based Navigation (PBN)
The PBN Study Group (PBNSG) completed the drafting of a new circular supporting the transition for PBN approach chart names (i.e. RNAV to RNP). This includes a detailed global transition plan to reduce the impact of this change and which could form the basis of future transitional planning in other areas. The outline of the transition plan was presented to the Planning and Implementation Regional Groups (PIRGs) in advance to allow them to start planning for this activity.
The Performance-based Navigation Programme has been working to produce step-by-step implementation guides for PBN-related tasks. The first of these guides provides detailed support on how to do a PBN Ops Approval, following up on the recommendation from the second High-level Safety Conference (HLSC 2015) which called for ICAO to provide assistance to regulators on oversight of PBN activities.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
An AFI Region symposium on RPAS was held in Abuja, Nigeria, and attended by approximately 586 participants. The symposium raised awareness on how remote technologies are rapidly changing aviation across the AFI Region.
The Second Global RPAS Symposium was held in Montréal and was attended by 393 participants. The event focused on licensing and training of remote pilots and on operational aspects related to integration into airspace of these new aircraft.
Aerodrome capacity and efficiency
Further progress was made in updating aerodrome design specifications to help increase aerodrome capacity and efficiency. Based on available safety data and some recent studies, new and amended Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) were proposed, taking into account modern aircraft with systems that provide very precise guidance for landing, take-off and taxiing. The proposed changes in design specifications for runway and taxiway widths, shoulders, strip widths and separation distances are expected to enable airports to operate recent aeroplane types with increased capacity, capability and connectivity. It is envisaged that 80 per cent of aerodromes operating codes D, E and F aeroplanes in 140 States would benefit from the proposed changes. This would result in more efficient use of land surface, particularly at aerodromes where real estate is at a premium. Many aerodromes would also be able to accept code F operations within existing infrastructure, thus increasing capacity and efficiency, particularly at congested aerodromes where slots are at a premium.
