FAA Approves Gulfstream's PlaneView-Equipped Aircraft for RNP Approaches

The FAA has approved Gulfstream' PlaneView-equipped G550, G500, G450 and G350 business jets to fly RNP SAAAR (required navigation performance special aircraft and aircrew authorization required) approaches.

Gulfstream has been working with NetJets and Honeywell International over the past year to secure the approval that would allow the two companies to fly RNP SAAAR 0.3 approaches with their Gulfstream PlaneView-equipped aircraft. (0.3 refers to the lateral performance requirement, in nautical miles, associated with the procedure.)

RNP SAAAR procedures use an aircraft's GPS and inertial reference systems to fly predetermined paths preloaded in their flight management computers that can allow more-direct and lower-minimum approaches.

To gain the approval, Gulfstream needed to prove the accuracy of the aircraft's onboard navigational systems and to create necessary RNP SAAAR flight crew and maintenance guidance documents.

In March 2007, when Gulfstream received FAA approval for its next-generation PlaneView upgrade, the company provided data that proved the accuracy of its aircraft navigation systems, including their GPS, EGPWS (enhanced ground proximity warning system), autopilots and advanced graphic modules. To do this, Gulfstream correlated and verified the lateral and vertical accuracies demonstrated during flight testing when using the aircraft's FMS (flight management system) and differential GPS.

To meet the FAA's second approval criterion, Gulfstream recently completed an aircraft-specific RNP SAAAR operations instructional manual and an aircraft-specific maintenance document.

NetJets and Honeywell will submit Gulfstream's approval, along with their respective RNP SAAAR pilot training programs to their local FAA Flight Standards district offices to get their own operational approvals.  01-04-2008.

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