New navigation system eyed for Philippine aerospace

Coming soon to Philippine aerospace: a navigation system which will allow an aircraft to fly accurate paths without relying heavily on ground-based navigation aids.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will develop a performance-based navigation (PBN) system in cooperation with the French Civil Aviation Authority and Quovadis, an Airbus company specializing in flight operations systems.

In a statement, CAAP Director General Ramon Gutierrez said Quovadis had “the right expertise and experience” for the job.

“As safety is our first priority, the PBN concept matches perfectly with the needs of the country. The CAAP is fully committed to develop PBN in line with International Civil Aviation Organization recommendations, the official added.

According to the CAAP statement, the Required Navigation Performance allows an aircraft to fly accurately defined and contained trajectories without relying on ground-based navigation aids.

The navigation technology allows for optimal use of airspace by making approaches more stabilized and managed.

Gutierrez said this will “significantly improve safety but also reduce costs by shortening tracks.”

Quovadis chief executive officer Paul Franck Bijou said the prospective PBN would bring all stakeholders together in creating fuel efficient, flexible and safe trajectories for aircraft.