Abstract: With the development of global economy and the rapid growth of people's material demand, the sustainable development of air industry needs more and more airspace capacity, so the importance of optimizing available airspace is prominent. Under the background of world aviation industry, after more than 60 years development, the safety level has steadily improved, the total amount of transportation has increased rapidly, the air routes have been enriched and the air traffic capacity has gradually improved. PBN, the performance-based navigation technology is one of the most essential topics in China’s aviation development. Compared to conventional navigation, it has witnessed significant benefit in PBN operation, such as less fuel cost, shorter route range and lighter workload of the controllers. This paper introduces the basic concept of PBN, and then selects three typical routes through simulation software, compares the characteristics of PBN and traditional navigation in practice, and illustrates the advantages of PBN procedures by means of data and charts.

Abstract: Current operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) primarily rely on voice communication designed to minimize lengthy conversations as well as simple data exchanges intended to supplement voice communication without adding additional fidelity to instructions. Advances in communication, data processing capabilities, and cultural acceptance of technology-enabled procedural changes are paving the way for implementation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) concepts based on Four-Dimensional Trajectories (4DT). Exchanging Four-Dimensional (4D) data (latitude, longitude, altitude, and time) and trajectories via an internet- based infrastructure is part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Office’s vision for Trajectory Based Operations (TBO). In 2020, the FAA successfully completed the 4DT Live Flight Demonstration (4DT LFD) project to demonstrate how 4DT-based operations in the NAS can be implemented with current technologies and to inform future research.The FAA partnered with key industry participants to conduct two live flights in the NAS using 4DT for controller-pilot negotiations, clearances, and aircraft intent information. The 4DT LFD leveraged a connected aircraft with an Internet Protocol (IP) data link that enabled Air-to-Ground (A/G) SWIM and Demo IP-based Clearance connectivity as the aircraft traversed the NAS. The project maximized use of current infrastructure while leveraging NextGen capabilities at the FAA’s Florida NextGen Test Bed (FTB) and communication systems available from industry partners.The 4DT LFD elaborated procedures, validated existing technology, and began to socialize the feasibility of TBO in the NAS to ATM stakeholders including the FAA, airspace users, and system providers. The project focused on new data exchange mechanisms for trajectory negotiations in the NAS enroute environment, leveraging commonly used avionics equipment with emphasis on Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and Flight Management System (FMS). The project also leveraged ongoing FAA NextGen investments, such as System Wide Information Management (SWIM), Performance Based Navigation (PBN), and research into Flight and Flow – Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE). Lessons learned from the project will inform future FAA system requirements and airspace users’ development of their own procedures and technologies. These lessons will help refine global concepts, standards, recommended practices, and implementation guidance.

Abstract: Helicopters play a relevant role in society due to their extraordinary versatility. However, they are particularly vulnerable to adverse weather conditions as the majority of operations are carried out under visual flight rules. This is partly due to the shortage of tailored helicopter instrument flight procedures and routes. The emergence of the performance-based navigation concept supported by the latest satellite navigation technologies has opened up new possibilities for rotorcraft operations in the last few years. This paper presents an extensive overview of the state of the art in the design of performance-based navigation routes for helicopters from two main standpoints: instrument flight procedures and route spacing. Apart from summarizing recent and current major initiatives to implement helicopter low-level routes and flight procedures, this paper provides an outlook on the latest advances and ongoing efforts by the International Civil Aviation Organization in the field of helicopter procedure and route design to ensure flyability, obstacle clearance, strategical separation, and segregation of traffic flows. In addition, several gaps in the current design criteria are identified and suggestions for future research and development are outlined.

Abstract: As the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moves to a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-centric navigation strategy, the agency has not refreshed their legacy Ground-Based Navigation Aids (NAVAIDS). These NAVAIDS include Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) providing precision all-weather landing services, Very High Frequency Omni-directional Range (VOR) and DMEs providing traditional en route airways and Standard Instrument Departure/Arrival Route (SIDs/STARs) procedures, as well as DMEs operating in DME-DME networks supporting NextGen Performance Based Navigation (PBN). The legacy NAVAID fleet provides a vital role in providing GNSS resilient navigation services to Civil and Military users within the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA faces continued supportability issues and declining availability due to the age of the legacy NAVAID fleet, directly impacting the ability of the FAA to provide navigation services in the event of a major disruption to GNSS services. A major obstacle in refreshing the NAVAID fleet is the cost of qualification and implementation of new equipment for operation within the NAS. The FAA can greatly accelerate the time to implement while simultaneously reducing the acquisition costs by using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Non-Developmental Item (NDI) acquisition strategies. With a COTS based acquisition strategy, the Government would seek to minimize or eliminate custom engineering, eliminate creation of Government specific documentation including manuals and training materials, and maximize use of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) design documentation, safety analysis, and logistics processes and procedures. These strategies have been successfully employed by the majority of Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to reduce costs without compromising safety or quality.