Development and Validation of Point-in-Space Approach Procedures for General Aviation at Essen/Muehlheim Regional Airport using EGNOS

Abstract

This paper explores the potential of conducting precision approach training by using the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service instead of conventional landing systems. This method allows flight schools to perform training precision approaches at their base airport being independent of navigation infrastructure available at larger airports. The usage of a cost-effective satellite- to ground-based augmentation system converter thereby enables aircraft to conduct localizer performance approaches with vertical guidance which are independent of an aircraft database. To validate the operational concept three point-in-space precision approach look-alike procedures were developed for Essen/Muehlheim Regional Airport respecting the surrounding complex airspace structure. Subsequently the designed approaches were evaluated through flight trials using a prototype ground based augmentation system receiver for general aviation. Results obtained by post-processing the gathered data show sufficient performance of the technical equipment as well as the design of the developed procedures being suitable for precision approach training.