RNP demo at DCA

Bob Noel wrote:
In article , G Farris wrote:


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/21/na...tml?oref=login

If you're not registered to read NYTimes articles you may not be able to
access this - maybe someone has a more user-friendly source for this
article.

I'm not sure how frequently they would want to be using 13L at JFK and 04
at LGA simultaneously, but the case is well demonstrated anyway.

GF



DCA or JFK?

The RNP procedure at DCA does not enhance separation. It lowers
minimums for Runway 19 but only Alaska Airlines can presently use it.
It will take a long time for anyone else to qualify for that low of an
RNP value. The reason the RNP value is that low is not for obstacle
clearance but to assure clearance from P-56.

The JFK procedure is presently being promoted by Jet Blue to emulate the
Canarsie (VOR 13L/R) IAP at JFK, albeit with lower minimums so they
don't have to switch to the 13L ILS.

So long as the Canarsie approach is in use LGA can run Runway 4 ILS
approaches. This has been true for many years. But, once the weather
drops below Canarsie minimums then JFK has to switch to the ILS 13L,
which shuts down the LGA ILS 4.

With the lower minimums proposed by Jet Blue, the percentage of time
that JFK would have to use the 13L ILS would decrease significantly.

Trouble is, unless every flight into JFK is RNP qualified, including RF
(radius-to-fix) leg capable, it will do no good. Many, many air carrier
aircraft are not properly equipped and will not be so for the life of
that portion of the air carrier fleet.

So, it is the FAA promoting something that just won't become a reality
at JFK. At DCA it works for Alaska Airlines, because there the benefits
are not dependent upon everyone being equipped with the "latest and
greatest" RNP suite, not to mention all the related special crew
training and qualifications.

The FAA is to be given credit for finally embracing the concept of
advanced, approach-capable RNP, but neither the air carriers nor the ATC
system is quite ready for "prime time."

The new Palm Springs RNP IAPs, effective this very day, are great except
the airspace and ATC system is simply not prepared to deal with them.