Article Posted on : - Mar 03, 2011

EGNOS-equipped aircraft cockpit. Photo by Eurocontrol

PARIS (BNS): For the first time, space-based navigation signals have become officially usable for the critical task of vertically guiding aircraft during landing approaches.

The EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service has been declared operational and suitable for use by European aviation.

By using three satellites and a 40-strong network of ground stations, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) sharpens the accuracy of GPS satnav signals.

“Through EGNOS, satellite navigation guidance is being made available for the first time in the vertical as well as horizontal domain,” said Francisco Salabert of Eurocontrol.

“EGNOS offers the aviation industry the means to provide accurate and safe vertically guided approaches to smaller airports where a conventional precision landing system is not today economically viable. Its introduction will reduce delays, diversions and cancellations of flights into and out of these airfields while improving passenger safety,” he said.

In order to use EGNOS for approaches, Air Navigation Service Providers must publish runway procedures and aircraft and operators have to be equipped with certified receivers and be approved for operations.

“Eurocontrol is coordinating EGNOS’s operational introduction across Europe,” Salabert said adding “Runway procedures have already been designed for various airports and heliports, with more on the way.”

The EGNOS signal is guaranteed to maintain a minimum level of accuracy, with just a one in 10 million chance of error. If this reliability falls below this level then EGNOS users are alerted within six seconds.

ESA is now acting as the design and procurement agent on behalf of the European Commission for all major EGNOS system changes throughout its operational lifetime, as well as preparing for the next-generation EGNOS, expected around 2020.

EGNOS is the result of a tripartite agreement between ESA, the European Commission (EC) and Eurocontrol.