“This is a game-changer,” was how Marion Blakey of the FAA viewed the new navigation system that was unveiled during the holidays. With a price tag of only $20,000/approach at an airport, this system has the potential to bring low-visibility landings to smaller airports. It is another step forward to bring big city transportation advantages to increasingly smaller airports.
The new system, called Required Navigation Performance (RNP), is based upon the Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS). It allows an airplane to descend safely to 475 feet, at which point the pilot must be able to see the runway to complete the landing. This compares to the current 720 feet for a radar based system, a huge difference in bad weather.
RNP will be used in 2006 in NYC, Houston and Chicago. Watch for it to spread quickly. If you are involved with your local airport commission, make sure that you get on the list to install this system at your airport in the near future.
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