By Ian Seager
1 September 2022
The CAA and Department for Transport today announced the third phase of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) programme. They are encouraging airfields eligible to take part to register interest before 30 September, and as an incentive, the DfT has increased its maximum funding to help development of GNSS approach procedures from 50% to 75%.
“This technology can improve flight safety when landing in poorer weather as well as creating new commercial opportunities for GA airfields,” said the DfT statement. “It also provides increased resilience for helicopter emergency services, where previous operations have been limited to visual flight conditions.”
The UK’s rollout of GNSS (GPS) approaches has been troubled by the long and expensive approval process, and significant operational restrictions are often applied to successful applications.
As a result we are decades behind the USA, and years behind many of our European neighbours, something that should cause significant embarrassment to both the CAA and DfT alongside the embarrassment that should be felt at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for its decision to pull us out of EGNOS resulting in the loss of LPV approaches.
The Minister for Aviation, Robert Courts said, “This Government has always been dedicated to helping the UK’s aviation sector to expand and grow. By helping more airfields to harness the latest satellite innovations and procedures, this programme will both improve flight safety across the UK and expand the type of flights they can operate.
“Airfields are crucial to their local economies and communities, so not only will this mean more people will be able to fly with confidence, but it will also be key in helping to level up the country.”
Rob Bishton at the CAA said, “The DfT considers Phase 3 of the GNSS Programme as a priority activity for us here at the Civil Aviation Authority.
“The support that the UK government is providing through its financial assistance, and the expertise available through the Civil Aviation Authority’s Facilitation Team, will provide a fantastic opportunity to those interested in implementing GNSS procedures within the UK, resulting in increased safety as well as improved commercial benefits to GA airfields.”
Let’s hope that it is third phase lucky.
