Real-Time Testing of GNSS Based Curved and Continuous Descending Approach for General Aviation Aircraft

Nowadays, the satellite-based technology is an affordable alternative to the instrument landing system that may contribute to augment accessibility and safety to all airports, including regional and small ones, for general aviation aircraft not equipped with instrument landing system airborne devices. Moreover, the exploitation of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems can allow an increase in the flexibility of the approach procedures design through the definition of curved legs that let avoiding sensitive zones, such as populated areas with noise restrictions, and make shorter approach paths resulting in fuel savings. In this scenario, the present work describes the developed navigation software prototypes and the real-time simulations results obtained in the demonstration of the capability of a general aviation aircraft equipped with satellite navigation, augmented with ground-based system and with approach service type C/D receiver, to execute radius to fix and continuous descent precision curved approaches until CAT-II decision height. For the executed simulations, statistics concerning performance indices as the total system error and the navigation system error are assessed.