PBN Benefits: Enhanced Reliability
An advanced form of PBN called Required Navigation Performance (RNP) ensures that the aircraft always flies inside a precisely defined "tunnel" in the sky and alerts the crew if there is any deviation. As a result, the aircraft flies precisely along the prescribed path every time. Enhanced procedures like RNP paths lead to more reliable and predictable aircraft operations, helping to keep the skies safe and secure.
Less stress on flight crews
Preloaded PBN approaches and departures require less input from the crew and are easier and more straightforward to fly than traditional procedures. In many cases, advanced PBN enables the aircraft's autopilot to do the challenging physical work of flying the aircraft so that the crew can concentrate on managing the flight and aircraft systems and performance.
Better Engine-Out Procedures
When an aircraft loses power in an engine, advanced PBN takes over, allowing crews to focus on flying rather than attend to complex emergency navigation procedures. This is particularly critical when the aircraft is flying in challenging terrain, poor weather or low visibility. In some cases of engine loss, the PBN guidance will reroute the aircraft to fly through less obstacle-challenged airspace to compensate for degraded aircraft performance.
No ILS Signal Distortion
Sometimes, conventional instrument landing system (ILS) glide paths can be severely distorted by temporary obstructions, such as taxiing aircraft or even piles of snow near the ground-based ILS equipment. Satellite-based PBN does not suffer from ground-based interference. Also, PBN integrates smoothly and seamlessly with advanced, next-generation landing systems that utilize the locally augmented global navigation satellite system (GNSS).
Stabilized Approaches
With advanced PBN, aircraft arrive at the runway aligned with the centerline, in the same configuration, and at the same speed every time. Variations in altitude and speed are virtually eliminated, and touchdowns with adequate runway to slow the aircraft are ensured.
CFIT Reductions
Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) is one of the leading causes of fatal aircraft accidents. The vertical and lateral path guidance of advanced PBN procedures - accurately repeated with every flight - ensures that the aircraft avoids all obstacles, virtually eliminating the possibility of CFIT.
Safer Missed Approaches
All GE advanced PBN approaches are designed with an automatic missed approach procedure at any point along the path, even beyond the Decision Altitude.
More Consistency
Operators using PBN throughout their network enhance safety by employing approach and departure procedures that are consistent from airport to airport. That consistency is a key component of safe operations.
Precision-like Guidance in Any Environment
The approach at Linzhi Airport, high in the Tibetan Himalayas, is one of the most challenging landing procedures in the world. An RNP AR approach procedure ensures that the aircraft adheres to a consistent, predictable path during every landing.