Jeppesen teams with Nav Canada to deliver performance based navigation procedures

Jeppesen, a part of Boeing Digital Aviation, today announces a new agreement with NAV CANADA to design and deliver RNAV RNP (area navigation with required navigation performance) instrument flight procedures that are based in Performance Based Navigation (PBN) principles.

The new procedures will provide the benefits of PBN – increased runway throughput, as well as reductions in aircraft fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions – for Canadian airspace. Performance Based Navigation is the foundation of the FAA’s NextGen modernization program, Europe’s SESAR program and other future air traffic management concepts, which will alleviate much of today’s delays on the ground and in the air.

'This agreement marks an exciting milestone for Canadian airspace modernization and has been eagerly anticipated by NAV CANADA and its customers,” said Mark Van Tine, vice president, Boeing Digital Aviation and Jeppesen CEO. “Working together, we will deliver optimized design and airspace procedures that will allow for more optimized operations through reduced fuel consumption and less airline miles flown.”

RNAV differs from traditional navigation, whereby aircraft navigate from beacon to beacon or are given vectors (steered) by air traffic control, by allowing aircraft to fly a course within a network of navigation beacons or waypoints, based on GPS guidance. RNP specifies a minimum level of onboard navigational performance monitoring and alerting. RNAV and RNP specifications facilitate more precise lateral and horizontal aircraft routing and enable aircraft to descend from altitude without intermediate level offs, which greatly reduces fuel consumption and aircraft noise emissions.

“We are pleased to be working together with Jeppesen to expedite the continued modernization of the Canadian air navigation system,” said Larry Lachance, vice president, Operations, NAV CANADA. “With Jeppesen’s world leading expertise, combined with the innovative and customer focused approach of NAV CANADA operations staff, I am confident that this partnership will allow NAV CANADA to continue to implement PBN-based procedures that set the bar even higher for safe and efficient air navigation services.”