THALES SBAS 2015 SPACE BASED AUGMENTATION SYSTEM WORKSHOP 24 & 25 MARCH 2015 PHILLIP REISS CURRENT DIRECTOR AND PAST PRESIDENT AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
BENEFITS TO AVIATION Vertical guidance to all runways presently served by RNAV approach procedures. Significant reduction in CFIT accidents such as the Lockhart River accident CFIT IS the greatest cause of aviation fatal accidents. Greater navigational accuracy providing five times the accuracy of normal GPS. Most IFR aircraft in Australia have GPS navigation systems capable of making SBAS approaches. ICAO has set a direction for world wide adoption of approach with Vertical guidance (APV) as the minimum instrument approach in recognition that APV greatly reduces the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Australia is a signatory to ICAO and has a commitment to implement APV by 2016. ICAO resolution 37/11. Australia makes no direct contribution to the provision of space based Position Navigation and Timing (PNT), we are dependant of foreign systems.
WAAS CAPABLE GPS SYSTEMS Most IFR aircraft in Australia are fitted with WAAS capable GPS navigation systems varying from relatively low cost systems such as Garmin W430 to highly sophisticated units such as the Garmin 1000. Regional Airline aircraft, charter, business aircraft all have the capability of making vertical guidance approach's using existing equipment. Most low cost GPS navigators from, are designed and certified in the USA to be WAAS capable where vertical guidance approaches are routine. SBAS would enable aircraft fitted with these systems to make vertical guidance approaches. WAAS capability is even available in portable and handheld GPS Maritime - accurate coastal navigation is vital in preventing ecological disasters e.g. transiting the Great Barrier Reef. The capability is available, however Australia does not have SBAS and therefore we cannot benefit from the capability built into them.
AVIATION PROCEDURAL USE OF SBAS (WAAS) WILL ENHANCE SAFETY RNAV approaches presently in use in Australia are step down approaches commonly referred to in the US as Dive and Drive. Pilot workload significantly increased during a critical phase of flight with the pitch and power changes necessary to fly these approaches close to the ground. Step down approaches increase the risk of pilot error Lockhart River for example where the pilots misread the penultimate step down point as the final approach fix. Most USA carriers will not allow their crews to conduct circling or step down approaches regarding these procedures as high risk. Airline operations require that a stabilised approach must be established below 1,000, some airlines stipulate 1,500 Similar procedures apply in Business Jets I flew corporate jets including a corporate Boeing 727, our procedure was that if an approach was not stabilised by 1.00, the approach was to be abandoned and a go-round initiated.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS PROJECTIONS based on figures provided by Thales, by 2020 projected economic benefit from augmented GNSS services could be between $7.8 billion and $13.7 billion higher than it would otherwise have been The USA WAAS Experience since implementation the benefits to the wider community have had significant affect on the economy and productivity. Cost effective Implementation Australia has unique opportunity to implement SBAS at minimal cost. Inmarsat has two satellites in place with payload capability. Egnos Operational Architecture Australian SBAS would be based on the operational EGNOS, development cost therefore eliminated and the system is certified to ICA standard. All Components Validated and Certificated. Joint project with New Zealand partnership costs are shared to the benefit of both countries.
BENEFIT TO REGIONAL CENTRES General Aviation and Regional Airline services provide not only transportation for Regional Australia but are a major contributor to business and economic development. General Aviation is not just private pilots and recreational aviation. General Aviation includes, charter, emergency services and business aircraft, including business jets. Regional Airlines are also vital to the economy of regional centres. SBAS to support APV is a significant safety enhancement for these essential services. Vertical guidance to a runway decreases flight cancellations due weather, enhancing travel capacity.
CONCLUSION Investment in Infrastructure to prevent accidents is more cost effective than accident investigation. For example the cost involved in the search for MH 370. We have an opportunity to implement a space based infrastructure system that has significant safety benefits and will also deliver substantial benefits to the economy and to all sectors of the transportation, mining, marine and other industries. Business and economic growth in regional areas are dependant on a safe and reliable GA and airline industry. We have a great opportunity to put in place SBAS in Australia and New Zealand at a very reasonable cost. Inmarsat satellite payload is available, should we miss this opportunity to utilise those satellites it will be at least another six years before another opportunity comes along and cost will be significantly higher particularly if we have to put satellites in place.