Final Report Summary - CARE (Curved Applications for Rotorcraft Environmental enhancement)
Executive Summary:
The CARE project provided complementary analysis related to the curved capabilities on top of the activities currently on-going in GARDEN project (GNSS-based ATM for Rotorcraft to DEcrease Noise).
GARDEN project consists in developing new IFR flight procedures based on the use of GNSS and enabling rotorcraft to reach busy airports fully independently of the airplane traffic operating from or to active runways.
CARE allowed to obtain a complete overview of rotorcraft specific IFR procedures relying on GNSS benefiting from curved capabilities and SBAS improved positioning.
The objectives that have been achieved in the frame of this project are to:
- Identify the regulation baseline for rotorcraft curved IFR procedures;
- Assess the benefits of SBAS guidance for curved segments in rotorcraft IFR procedures including for SNI operations at airport;
- Design a Point in Space (PinS) SBAS curved approach;
- Contribute to CleanSky JU dissemination activities.
The main benefits were related to safety improvement for rotorcraft operations combined with noise minimisation.
Project Context and Objectives:
State of the art – Background
Air traffic is expected to grow continuously in the next decades. Reducing the environmental footprint of aviation has therefore become a major challenge for industry stakeholders and including for rotorcraft operators. Working towards greener skies, the European Commission has created jointly with the aviation industry the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. Its objective is to develop technologies that mitigate the impact of air transport on the environment (reduction of aircraft external noise, emissions and fuel consumption).
One of the initiatives launched by CleanSky JU in this perspective is the CARE project (Curved Applications for Rotorcraft Environmental enhancements). The project consists in developing new curved IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) procedures for rotorcraft using satellite-based augmentation systems (GNSS-SBAS).
For this two-year project CleanSky JU has selected a consortium led by Egis Avia and also formed by the French air navigation service provider (DGAC/DSNA), Pildo Consulting and CGX Aero. The consortium will provide support in the design and implementation of curved GNSS-SBAS IFR procedures for rotorcraft.
Objectives
The main objectives of the CARE project are the following:
• To identify the regulation baseline for rotorcraft curved IFR procedures: Applicable regulation and design criteria for curved segments as well as requirements regarding flight path protection surfaces will be identified and analysed.
• To design new generic IFR low noise curved rotorcraft procedure relying on SBAS: design criteria will be drafted for the RNP 0.3; RNP APCH and RNP AR navigation specifications (thus addressing the approach phases of flight) for three different cases:
o Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with straight-in final approach (3D)
o Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with curved final approach (3D)
o Curved rotorcraft PinS approach under full SBAS guidance
SNI operations constraints and noise minimisation are the main drivers for defining those procedures. In parallel a safety analysis related to the implementation of such operations is performed.
• To assess the benefits of SBAS guidance for curved segments in rotorcraft IFR procedures: The operational benefits in terms of reduced length and better minima brought by developing criteria considering SBAS performance compared to basic GNSS (2D) and also Baro VNAV (3D) will be detailed. A business case encompassing a comparison of the benefits and constraints of the different solutions for curved rotorcraft IFR procedures will also allow to add economic aspects to the analysis.
• To implement a Point in Space (PinS) SBAS curved approach: the procedure will be adapted to a specific terrain chosen for its constraining environment (high density and mountainous area) and will focus on reducing the noise footprint.
• To support CleanSky JU dissemination activities: A user forum involving the main stakeholders (ANSPs, Rulemaking bodies, helicopter associations …) will be organised. Dissemination also encompasses support to deliver to CleanSky JU appropriate information about the project in order to improve visibility of Partners within CleanSky and to foster cross-fertilisation among projects and partners with common interest within CleanSky.
Project Results:
Description of work
The CARE project is structured in five main Work Packages (WPs):
• WP1 – State of the Art: this first activity encompasses the inventory of regulations for curved segments in existing procedures as well as an analysis of the flight path protection surfaces to be used as inputs for the rest of the project.
• WP2 – Design Criteria Proposals: this work package permits the definition of low noise curved criteria and the completion of the safety analysis. Regarding the criteria, the goal is to define adapted criteria for curved segments to be used on top of current operations (RNP 0.3 RNP APCH, RNP AR) for rotorcraft IFR operations and also considering the SBAS navigation performance, the PinS concept and compatibility with the SNI concept. The safety analysis addresses the use of those curved PinS procedures. The definition of criteria is done in parallel to the safety analysis in order to ensure that defined criteria are safely applicable.
• WP3 – Benefits and Constraints: this third part of the activities is conducted in two steps with firstly the identification of the benefits brought by SBAS guidance for curved segments and then, the study of the pros and cons qualitatively and when possible quantitatively through a cost-benefit analysis on a specific case to issue a business case.
• WP4 – Procedure Implementation: this part of the activities consists in designing and implementing a specific approach procedure. This procedure is based on the new criteria defined for PinS SBAS curved procedures. The platform chosen for this specific implementation is proposed to be located in a constraining environment (such high density urban or mountainous area). The focus is made on environmental impacts particularly in terms of noise footprint.
• WP5 – Disseminations: Dissemination activities are conducted through the delivery of a synthesis of the results achieved, a user forum organised to present and disseminate the results of the project, and finally a continuous support to CleanSky JU concerning its own dissemination activities.
Results
WP1 – State of the Art
The 1st deliverable “Existing design criteria and requirements for IFR procedures including curved segments” aimed at identifying and analysing the applicable regulation and design criteria for rotorcraft specific IFR curved operations for departure, arrival and approach. This document addressed in particular the two possibilities available today to design curved procedures: the RF capability in the RNP AR operations and the RF capability in the PBN standard operations (RNP x and RNP APCH navigation specification).
Existing regulations as well as future regulations under discussion have been analysed.
In particular, design criteria have been reviewed including a comprehensive analysis of the flight path protection surfaces in the horizontal and vertical planes. Potential areas of improvement considering rotorcraft and SBAS performance have also been highlighted.
Moreover, all of the above has been analysed in the light of the PBN manual in order to tackle the operational aspects. Indeed, regulation applicable to each actor of the IFR procedures have been identified and analysed: rotorcraft equipment and operational approval, procedure design, airport/heliport/landing location infrastructure, ATM integration…
This document also considered the applicability of the different curved segments concepts regarding rotorcraft needs and flight phases. Moreover other concepts such as curved FAS DB (Final Approach Segment Data Block) or curved TAP DB (Terminal Area Path Data Block) have been addressed.
This document constitutes the basis for the rest of the CARE project and in particular for the drafting of design criteria.
WP2 – Design Criteria Proposals
This activity encompassed the delivery of three deliverables related to the design of new generic IFR SNI low noise curved rotorcraft procedures relying on SBAS. Design criteria have be drafted for the RNP 0.3 RNP APCH (LPV) and RNP AR navigation specifications (thus addressing the approach phases of flight) for 3 different cases:
• Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with straight-in RNP AR or LPV final approach (3D);
• Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with curved RNP AR or LPV final approach (3D);
• Curved rotorcraft PinS approach under full SBAS guidance.
SNI operations constraints and noise minimisation were the main drivers for defining those procedures.
For each deliverable:
• Existing regulations as well as future regulations under discussion have been analysed in a first step and summarized for both navigation specification supporting RF capability during approach phase: RNP 0.3 and RNP AR APCH. This analysis was based on CARE D1 deliverable where regulation issues have been more thoroughly and extensively documented.
• Two scenarios of approaches have been assessed: one based on the RNP AR navigation specification, and the other based on the RNP 0.3 navigation specification. In both scenarios RNP AR and/or LPV final approach segment have been considered.
• For both scenarios, the deliverable proposed curved segment criteria coming either from existing ones or adapted from existing criteria taking into account the full SBAS guidance. Design criteria for curved segments have been presented for each approach segment
• In addition elements related to the publication of such procedures have also been proposed (charting and coding).
• Finally practical examples of implementation of the proposed design criteria in two specific environments (busy airport and mountainous environment) have been provided.
In parallel a safety analysis has been conducted related to the implementation of such operations.
Two kinds of procedures have been identified for curved PinS IFR rotorcraft procedure based on SBAS positioning:
• Scenario 1 named “curved PinS LPV” considered a straight-in PinS LPV approach with curved segments on the initial or intermediate approach segments and on the final missed approach segment. The RNP 0.3 navigation specification and SBAS based guidance are considered for those segments (except the final approach segment and the initial and intermediate missed approach segments).
• Scenario 2 named “curved PinS RNP AR” considered a PinS RNP AR approach with curved segments all along the different segments. Lateral and vertical linear deviations based on SBAS positioning have been considered.
WP3 – Benefits and Constraints
This activity was twofold.
Firstly a benefit assessment has been conducted addressing SBAS guidance benefits for curved segments in RNP AR and RNP x rotorcraft IFR procedures.
In order to do so, both potential curved segment solutions have been compared in terms of benefits they can specifically bring to rotorcraft operations. Then each of these solutions has been analysed in light of the benefits that can be gained from SBAS guidance.
In a second stage, a business case for curved IFR rotorcraft procedures has been developed based on the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) methodology. Two environments have been addressed: Commercial airport and HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) platform.
WP4 – Procedure Implementation
Based on previous work achieved, a curved IFR procedure specific to rotorcraft needs and benefiting from the added value of EGNOS have been designed and charted.
WP5 – Disseminations
Press releases have been issued to support to disseminate on the project and on the initiatives led by the CleanSky JU in order to improve visibility of Partners within Clean Sky and to foster cross-fertilisation among projects and partners with common interest within Clean Sky (http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/consult/egis-avia/pressgreen-curved-procedures-rotorcraft.html).
The results of the CARE project will be presented during a final event (User Forum) encompassing both the outcomes of CARE and GARDEN projects. This user forum is planned in October 2015 in Toulouse.
Potential Impact:
Expected benefits
Low noise flight operations
These new curved trajectories are of major interest as they allow rotorcraft to avoid flying over noise sensitive urban areas, especially thanks to the use of high-precision GNSS-SBAS guidance for approaches and departures. This is particularly important for Final Approach and Take-Off areas (FATOs) located within urban areas.
Low noise procedures are a major green leap forward and they increasingly capture the interest of airports and operators as an effective solution for noise abatement in residential areas overflown by rotorcraft.
Improved safety
GNSS-SBAS guidance also enhances both the precision and the performance of rotorcraft navigation. In particular, curved procedures enable rotorcraft to operate under IFR in challenging environments such as mountainous areas and to fly safely steep approaches to airports or heliports that are difficult to access or located in densely populated areas. This is particularly important for medical air transport to city hospitals or for helicopter operations in the vicinity of airports without interfering with the surrounding fixed-wing aircraft traffic.
List of Websites:
GRC-5 TP3 Topic Manager: Philippe Rollet
Airbus - Helicopters
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France
+33 (0)4 42 85 69 20
philippe.rollet@airbus.com
Project Manager: Anne-Laure Vogel
Egis Avia
4 bis rue Paul Mesplé
BP 20603 - 31106 Toulouse Cedex 1 - France
+33 (0)5 62 24 59 33
anne-laure.vogel@egis.fr
Technical Manager: Alexa Hourclats
Egis Avia
4 bis rue Paul Mesplé
BP 20603 - 31106 Toulouse Cedex 1 - France
+33 (0)5 62 24 56 33
alexa.hourclats@egis.fr
The CARE project provided complementary analysis related to the curved capabilities on top of the activities currently on-going in GARDEN project (GNSS-based ATM for Rotorcraft to DEcrease Noise).
GARDEN project consists in developing new IFR flight procedures based on the use of GNSS and enabling rotorcraft to reach busy airports fully independently of the airplane traffic operating from or to active runways.
CARE allowed to obtain a complete overview of rotorcraft specific IFR procedures relying on GNSS benefiting from curved capabilities and SBAS improved positioning.
The objectives that have been achieved in the frame of this project are to:
- Identify the regulation baseline for rotorcraft curved IFR procedures;
- Assess the benefits of SBAS guidance for curved segments in rotorcraft IFR procedures including for SNI operations at airport;
- Design a Point in Space (PinS) SBAS curved approach;
- Contribute to CleanSky JU dissemination activities.
The main benefits were related to safety improvement for rotorcraft operations combined with noise minimisation.
Project Context and Objectives:
State of the art – Background
Air traffic is expected to grow continuously in the next decades. Reducing the environmental footprint of aviation has therefore become a major challenge for industry stakeholders and including for rotorcraft operators. Working towards greener skies, the European Commission has created jointly with the aviation industry the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. Its objective is to develop technologies that mitigate the impact of air transport on the environment (reduction of aircraft external noise, emissions and fuel consumption).
One of the initiatives launched by CleanSky JU in this perspective is the CARE project (Curved Applications for Rotorcraft Environmental enhancements). The project consists in developing new curved IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) procedures for rotorcraft using satellite-based augmentation systems (GNSS-SBAS).
For this two-year project CleanSky JU has selected a consortium led by Egis Avia and also formed by the French air navigation service provider (DGAC/DSNA), Pildo Consulting and CGX Aero. The consortium will provide support in the design and implementation of curved GNSS-SBAS IFR procedures for rotorcraft.
Objectives
The main objectives of the CARE project are the following:
• To identify the regulation baseline for rotorcraft curved IFR procedures: Applicable regulation and design criteria for curved segments as well as requirements regarding flight path protection surfaces will be identified and analysed.
• To design new generic IFR low noise curved rotorcraft procedure relying on SBAS: design criteria will be drafted for the RNP 0.3; RNP APCH and RNP AR navigation specifications (thus addressing the approach phases of flight) for three different cases:
o Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with straight-in final approach (3D)
o Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with curved final approach (3D)
o Curved rotorcraft PinS approach under full SBAS guidance
SNI operations constraints and noise minimisation are the main drivers for defining those procedures. In parallel a safety analysis related to the implementation of such operations is performed.
• To assess the benefits of SBAS guidance for curved segments in rotorcraft IFR procedures: The operational benefits in terms of reduced length and better minima brought by developing criteria considering SBAS performance compared to basic GNSS (2D) and also Baro VNAV (3D) will be detailed. A business case encompassing a comparison of the benefits and constraints of the different solutions for curved rotorcraft IFR procedures will also allow to add economic aspects to the analysis.
• To implement a Point in Space (PinS) SBAS curved approach: the procedure will be adapted to a specific terrain chosen for its constraining environment (high density and mountainous area) and will focus on reducing the noise footprint.
• To support CleanSky JU dissemination activities: A user forum involving the main stakeholders (ANSPs, Rulemaking bodies, helicopter associations …) will be organised. Dissemination also encompasses support to deliver to CleanSky JU appropriate information about the project in order to improve visibility of Partners within CleanSky and to foster cross-fertilisation among projects and partners with common interest within CleanSky.
Project Results:
Description of work
The CARE project is structured in five main Work Packages (WPs):
• WP1 – State of the Art: this first activity encompasses the inventory of regulations for curved segments in existing procedures as well as an analysis of the flight path protection surfaces to be used as inputs for the rest of the project.
• WP2 – Design Criteria Proposals: this work package permits the definition of low noise curved criteria and the completion of the safety analysis. Regarding the criteria, the goal is to define adapted criteria for curved segments to be used on top of current operations (RNP 0.3 RNP APCH, RNP AR) for rotorcraft IFR operations and also considering the SBAS navigation performance, the PinS concept and compatibility with the SNI concept. The safety analysis addresses the use of those curved PinS procedures. The definition of criteria is done in parallel to the safety analysis in order to ensure that defined criteria are safely applicable.
• WP3 – Benefits and Constraints: this third part of the activities is conducted in two steps with firstly the identification of the benefits brought by SBAS guidance for curved segments and then, the study of the pros and cons qualitatively and when possible quantitatively through a cost-benefit analysis on a specific case to issue a business case.
• WP4 – Procedure Implementation: this part of the activities consists in designing and implementing a specific approach procedure. This procedure is based on the new criteria defined for PinS SBAS curved procedures. The platform chosen for this specific implementation is proposed to be located in a constraining environment (such high density urban or mountainous area). The focus is made on environmental impacts particularly in terms of noise footprint.
• WP5 – Disseminations: Dissemination activities are conducted through the delivery of a synthesis of the results achieved, a user forum organised to present and disseminate the results of the project, and finally a continuous support to CleanSky JU concerning its own dissemination activities.
Results
WP1 – State of the Art
The 1st deliverable “Existing design criteria and requirements for IFR procedures including curved segments” aimed at identifying and analysing the applicable regulation and design criteria for rotorcraft specific IFR curved operations for departure, arrival and approach. This document addressed in particular the two possibilities available today to design curved procedures: the RF capability in the RNP AR operations and the RF capability in the PBN standard operations (RNP x and RNP APCH navigation specification).
Existing regulations as well as future regulations under discussion have been analysed.
In particular, design criteria have been reviewed including a comprehensive analysis of the flight path protection surfaces in the horizontal and vertical planes. Potential areas of improvement considering rotorcraft and SBAS performance have also been highlighted.
Moreover, all of the above has been analysed in the light of the PBN manual in order to tackle the operational aspects. Indeed, regulation applicable to each actor of the IFR procedures have been identified and analysed: rotorcraft equipment and operational approval, procedure design, airport/heliport/landing location infrastructure, ATM integration…
This document also considered the applicability of the different curved segments concepts regarding rotorcraft needs and flight phases. Moreover other concepts such as curved FAS DB (Final Approach Segment Data Block) or curved TAP DB (Terminal Area Path Data Block) have been addressed.
This document constitutes the basis for the rest of the CARE project and in particular for the drafting of design criteria.
WP2 – Design Criteria Proposals
This activity encompassed the delivery of three deliverables related to the design of new generic IFR SNI low noise curved rotorcraft procedures relying on SBAS. Design criteria have be drafted for the RNP 0.3 RNP APCH (LPV) and RNP AR navigation specifications (thus addressing the approach phases of flight) for 3 different cases:
• Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with straight-in RNP AR or LPV final approach (3D);
• Curved rotorcraft approach under full SBAS guidance with curved RNP AR or LPV final approach (3D);
• Curved rotorcraft PinS approach under full SBAS guidance.
SNI operations constraints and noise minimisation were the main drivers for defining those procedures.
For each deliverable:
• Existing regulations as well as future regulations under discussion have been analysed in a first step and summarized for both navigation specification supporting RF capability during approach phase: RNP 0.3 and RNP AR APCH. This analysis was based on CARE D1 deliverable where regulation issues have been more thoroughly and extensively documented.
• Two scenarios of approaches have been assessed: one based on the RNP AR navigation specification, and the other based on the RNP 0.3 navigation specification. In both scenarios RNP AR and/or LPV final approach segment have been considered.
• For both scenarios, the deliverable proposed curved segment criteria coming either from existing ones or adapted from existing criteria taking into account the full SBAS guidance. Design criteria for curved segments have been presented for each approach segment
• In addition elements related to the publication of such procedures have also been proposed (charting and coding).
• Finally practical examples of implementation of the proposed design criteria in two specific environments (busy airport and mountainous environment) have been provided.
In parallel a safety analysis has been conducted related to the implementation of such operations.
Two kinds of procedures have been identified for curved PinS IFR rotorcraft procedure based on SBAS positioning:
• Scenario 1 named “curved PinS LPV” considered a straight-in PinS LPV approach with curved segments on the initial or intermediate approach segments and on the final missed approach segment. The RNP 0.3 navigation specification and SBAS based guidance are considered for those segments (except the final approach segment and the initial and intermediate missed approach segments).
• Scenario 2 named “curved PinS RNP AR” considered a PinS RNP AR approach with curved segments all along the different segments. Lateral and vertical linear deviations based on SBAS positioning have been considered.
WP3 – Benefits and Constraints
This activity was twofold.
Firstly a benefit assessment has been conducted addressing SBAS guidance benefits for curved segments in RNP AR and RNP x rotorcraft IFR procedures.
In order to do so, both potential curved segment solutions have been compared in terms of benefits they can specifically bring to rotorcraft operations. Then each of these solutions has been analysed in light of the benefits that can be gained from SBAS guidance.
In a second stage, a business case for curved IFR rotorcraft procedures has been developed based on the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) methodology. Two environments have been addressed: Commercial airport and HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) platform.
WP4 – Procedure Implementation
Based on previous work achieved, a curved IFR procedure specific to rotorcraft needs and benefiting from the added value of EGNOS have been designed and charted.
WP5 – Disseminations
Press releases have been issued to support to disseminate on the project and on the initiatives led by the CleanSky JU in order to improve visibility of Partners within Clean Sky and to foster cross-fertilisation among projects and partners with common interest within Clean Sky (http://www.airport-technology.com/contractors/consult/egis-avia/pressgreen-curved-procedures-rotorcraft.html).
The results of the CARE project will be presented during a final event (User Forum) encompassing both the outcomes of CARE and GARDEN projects. This user forum is planned in October 2015 in Toulouse.
Potential Impact:
Expected benefits
Low noise flight operations
These new curved trajectories are of major interest as they allow rotorcraft to avoid flying over noise sensitive urban areas, especially thanks to the use of high-precision GNSS-SBAS guidance for approaches and departures. This is particularly important for Final Approach and Take-Off areas (FATOs) located within urban areas.
Low noise procedures are a major green leap forward and they increasingly capture the interest of airports and operators as an effective solution for noise abatement in residential areas overflown by rotorcraft.
Improved safety
GNSS-SBAS guidance also enhances both the precision and the performance of rotorcraft navigation. In particular, curved procedures enable rotorcraft to operate under IFR in challenging environments such as mountainous areas and to fly safely steep approaches to airports or heliports that are difficult to access or located in densely populated areas. This is particularly important for medical air transport to city hospitals or for helicopter operations in the vicinity of airports without interfering with the surrounding fixed-wing aircraft traffic.
List of Websites:
GRC-5 TP3 Topic Manager: Philippe Rollet
Airbus - Helicopters
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France
+33 (0)4 42 85 69 20
philippe.rollet@airbus.com
Project Manager: Anne-Laure Vogel
Egis Avia
4 bis rue Paul Mesplé
BP 20603 - 31106 Toulouse Cedex 1 - France
+33 (0)5 62 24 59 33
anne-laure.vogel@egis.fr
Technical Manager: Alexa Hourclats
Egis Avia
4 bis rue Paul Mesplé
BP 20603 - 31106 Toulouse Cedex 1 - France
+33 (0)5 62 24 56 33
alexa.hourclats@egis.fr