April Table of Contents

Transcription

1 April 2015 Table of Contents

2 Content Page number Foreword 1 Introduction 2 Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) 3 6 Environmental considerations 7 STARs and RNAV 8 Consultation 9 Appendix A List of consultees 10-11

3 ! 1.0 Foreword Newcastle International Airport is the 10 th largest airport in the UK and the North East s major airport, handling over 4.6 million passengers per year, through over 65,000 aircraft movements. From our inception 80 years ago, Newcastle International has placed the local communities we serve at the heart of our business, seeking to ensure that our growth is sustainable, mindful of our ongoing commitment to protect the amenity of our surrounding communities. Investment in new technology, such as our recent acquisition of a new Noise and Track Keeping (NTK) system demonstrates our commitment to monitoring and then reducing noise impact. In implementing Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARS), we are looking to utilise the latest technology such as satellite-based navigation systems, to ensure more accurate and predictable flight paths, delivering fuel savings, reduced emissions and an improved noise environment for people on the ground. Responsibility for the design, consultation, application and implementation of a STAR is normally the responsibility of the Air Traffic Control en-route agency National Air Traffic Services. (NATS). In this instance, because of the close working relationship between NATS and Newcastle, and the link between the STAR and proposed RNAV procedures, this responsibility has been delegated back to Newcastle. We want to continue to engage with our stakeholders and look forward to hearing your thoughts. David Laws Chief Executive 2.0 Introduction 1

4 This document details a proposal to more accurately define existing arrival procedures at Newcastle International Airport (NIA) by the implementation of Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) available for those aircraft equipped with the appropriate technology. Use of a STAR at Newcastle is in accordance with UK and EU policies on Performance Based Navigation (PBN,) being an essential component of delivering the objectives underpinning the Future Airspace Strategy and consequential modernisation of the UK airspace system..laying the foundations for the airspace system not just of tomorrow, but for years to come. (CAA Performance Based Navigation). The STAR will also offer the opportunity for more efficient flight by those aircraft that follow the STAR, potentially saving fuel costs and reducing CO2 emissions a government priority for aviation and one of the CAA s Strategic Objectives by Improving environmental performance through more efficient use of airspace and (to) make an efficient contribution to reducing the aviation industry s environmental impacts. The proposal to implement STARs was announced in the Airport Masterplan 2030 along with proposals to implement more accurate Precision Area Navigation. This consultation follows on from the consultation on Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) which are now in the final stages of implementation. 2

5 3.0 Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) A STAR is a published navigational route which connects the end of the en-route phase of a flight with the approach-to-land phase. 3.1 Operations at Newcastle International Airport A STAR can only be provided for those aircraft which are approaching the airport from within Controlled Airspace, (CAS,) which for Newcastle is Airway P18. This airway is used by aircraft inbound from the south west. NIA has a single runway, (07/25) but aircraft complete approaches from all directions outside of controlled airspace. However there is only one arrival route via controlled airspace - airway P18, which from a total number of 22,502 arrivals in 2014, was used by approximately 13,036 which equates to approximately 58% on that single route alone. 3.2 Proposed STAR NIA inbound (and outbound,) routings via P18 must conform to a Traffic Orientation Scheme implemented by NATS for high level aircraft overflying our region. Aircraft flying to and from Northern European and East Scottish airports route through the overhead of NIA, navigating via a waypoint called NATEB. There is a requirement to route Newcastle inbounds up the east side of airway P18, and outbounds down the west side. When on Runway 25, an easy circular flow is possible. However for Runway 07, departures must cross to the west side of airway P18, and which require deconfliction from the inbounds tracking up the east side. Initially it was proposed that two STARs be designed one for each runway. However, the difficulties presented by the requirement to comply with the Traffic Orientation Scheme, an agreement on airspace usage with the operators of a gliding site 9nm to the south west of the airfield, and ultimately for separation against the 07 Standard Instrument Departure (SID,) it was agreed that a single STAR presented the best solution. 3

6 ! Figure 1 Illustration of STAR Geographical 3nm Graphic from skyvector.com Figure 2 Illustration of STAR - Airspace 4

7 ! Graphic from skyvector.com 5

8 The centre of the inbound track in airway P18 remains the same but will, due to the higher degree of accuracy of track-keeping, be more accurately flown, reducing the width of the spread of tracks. With a specified profile, designed for both optimum Continuous Descent Operation (CDO) and ensuring the aircraft remain within the vertical limits of the airway, pilots will be able to anticipate track and an increased ability to complete a CDO. 3.3 Impact of a STAR General Aviation No impact. No new airspace is being proposed. No restrictions on clearances and routings. Letters of Agreement (LOAs) will be unaffected Commercial No impact. No new airspace is being proposed. No restrictions on clearances and routings Military No impact. No new airspace is being proposed. No restrictions on clearances and routings. Letters of Agreement (LOAs) will be unaffected. 3.4 Benefits of STAR Airlines Airline operators are eager and supportive of these types of operations as they provide the opportunity for the following benefits; reduce controller and pilot workload improve situational awareness have the potential to save fuel due to reduced upload requirements, encourage greater compliance with CDO with a further potential to save fuel, reduce noise and emissions and decreasing engine maintenance and other costs Air Traffic Control ATCO workload can be reduced. 6

9 4.0 Environmental considerations The environmental implications of this proposal have been considered, however, on the basis that the route will terminate at 9000ft we believe the impacts to be minimal. 4.1 Noise As the STAR will terminate above 7000ft, the noise impacts have not been assessed. NIA are also working on a PRNAV STAR consultation application to commence in Spring/Summer In line with Government policy, the intention is to concentrate aircraft rather than dispersal of the environmental burden. 4.2 Air quality emissions It was unlikely that there will be any associated Local Air Quality impacts as there are no proposed changes to flight paths below 3,000 ft. This proposal provides an increased opportunity to carry out CDO s, a procedure which reduces the amount of fuel burnt by approaching aircraft. This will reduce aircraft emissions, both carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. Whilst we are not in a position to quantify the number of CDO uptake, we will assess CDO s through the Noise and Track Keeping system. 4.3 Tranquillity The STAR route will mirror the current operation and as such, aircraft will not be operating in new areas. NIA operate a Noise and Track Keeping (NTK) system, supplied by Bruel and Kjaer which will provide the opportunity to monitor the STAR track. This information will be monitored and shared with the Airline Technical Committee STARs and RNAV 7

10 In support of the UK Future Airspace Strategy (FAS) and the Single European Skies ATM Research (SESAR) projects, NIA have proposals to introduce PRNAV based navigation STARs. A further consultation document will be submitted in Spring/Summer Should permission be granted then following implementation of the STARs and subsequently, RNAVE approaches, when traffic conditions allow, suitably equipped aircraft may land at NIA having flown one of the following arrival and approach combinations; The present scenario in which the controller positions ( vectors ) individual aircraft to a point where the aircraft can establish on the ILS then continuing the approach to land Flying a vectored arrival as now, but electing to fly an RNAV approach to land. Flying a STAR until reaching the point at which ATC vector the aircraft as they do now, to a point at which becomes established on the ILS then continuing the approach to land. 6.0 Consultation 6.1 How to respond to this consultation 8

11 For consultation on STARs we are required to focus specifically on those stakeholders who might be directly affected by any changes. NIA values the opinions of its airspace users and as such we would welcome your response to this consultation. Please can you consider the following questions and respond accordingly; 1. How will this proposed change impact your activity? 2. Do you require any further information? 3. General feedback on the consultation All responses must be submitted by 16 th July us at: or write to us at: STARS Consultation Environment Department Newcastle International Airport Woolsington Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8BZ 9

12 APPENDIX A List of Consultees Airlines Air Lingus Air France Air Malta Balkan Air BMI Regional British Airways Citywing Eastern Airways Easyjet Emirates Flybe Germanwings Jet2 KLM Ryanair SAS Stobart Air Thomas Cook Thomson United Airlines Wideroe Local Organisations Airport Consultative Committee Durham Tees Valley Airport Northumbria Flying School Northumbria Helicopters RAF Leeming RAF Spadeadam Warton 10

13 National Organisations Airport Operators Association Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association British Airline Pilots Association British Air Transport Association British Balloons and Airship Club British Gliding Association British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association British Microlight Aircraft Association British Parachute Association Civil Aviation Authority Directorate of Airspace Policy Department for Transport DEFRA Environment Agency General Aviation Safety Council Guild of Air Traffic Controllers Light Aircraft Association Military Aviation Authority Ministry of Defence National Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee National Air Traffic Services 11