Presented by Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com
Introduction & Background – Minimum Navigation Performance Specification Airspace (MNPS)
Due to the continuing growth of aviation, an increasing demand is placed on air space capacity as well as the maintenance of a safe environment emphasizes is placed on the need for optimum utilization.
To ensure safe horizontal separation of aircraft as well as to enable operators to derive maximum economic benefit from improvement in navigation performance demonstrated in recent years.
The original concept of MNPS was proposed on a worldwide basis at the ICAO 9th air navigation conference (1976).
In certain geographical areas (e.g. the North Atlantic, the northern portion of Canada) it is a requirement that aircraft carry navigational equipment which permits an enhanced degree of accuracy, especially as regards tracking. To this end, equipment redundancy (two independent long-range navigation systems) may be legislated to provide for the failure case.
Note 1 – Required Navigation Performance (RNP) as a concept applies to navigation performance within an airspace and therefore affects both the airspace and aircraft.
North Atlantic Minimum Navigation Performance Specification Airspace (NATMNPS) Airspace between Latitudes 27 Deg N and 67 Deg N.
Eastern Boundaries of Santa Maria Oceanic, and Reykjavik Flight Information Region (FIR).
Western Boundaries of Reykjavik and Gander Oceanic FIR and New York Oceanic FIR East of Longitude 60 Deg N between FL 275 & FL 400.
Note 2 – During 1978 lateral separation of aircraft reduced from 120 nm to 60 nm & 2000 foot vertical separation retained.
What MNPS provided for Industry?
- The establishment of more direct routes (permitting a reduction in flight distances).
- Establishment of dual or parallel routes to accommodate a greater flow of en-route traffic.
- Establishment of bypass routes for aircraft overflying high-density terminal areas.
- Establishment of alternatives or contingency routes on either a planned or an ad hoc basis.
- Establishment of optimum locations for holding patterns; and
- Reduction in the number of ground navigation facilities.
How is Required Navigation Performance Airspace Defined?
- Defined airspace, such a North Atlantic minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS)airspace;
- A fixed ats route, such as between Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand;
- Random Track Operations, such as between Hawaii and Japan; and
- A volume of airspace, such as a block altitude on a specified route.
Training Requirements
Responsibility of State Authority to Ensure Adequate Training of Flight Crew and Air Traffic Controllers.
- Flight crew training should ensure that Flight Crews:
o Have a general knowledge of the application of RNP.
o Have a thorough understanding of the equipment.
o Are aware of its limitations.
o Have been trained in the operating procedures and safeguards necessary to obtain optimum efficiency and maintenance of required navigational accuracy.
o Are in current practice and have received recent training on the equipment.
o Appreciate the need to advise ATC should the accuracy of their navigation be in doubt; and
o Are conversant with contingency procedures.
MNPS- RNP Navigation Performance Accuracy
The prescribed minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS) and the procedures governing their application are published in the Regional Supplementary Procedures (ICAO Doc 7030) as well as in national Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs).
Next Steps
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com provides the following course – EASA Regulation 965 Part SPA – Specific Approvals for Regulatory Authorities PBN, MNPS, RVSM, LVO & ETOPS – Duration 2 Days.
For details please see the website or email Team@sassofia.com
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Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs), Air Traffic Controllers, Airspace, aviation, EASA Regulation 965 Part SPA, Flight Crew, Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS), Navigation Performance, Regional Supplementary Procedures (ICAO Doc 7030), Required Navigation Performance (RNP), SAS blogs
