July 2024 There’s more to come on the procedure modifications!
Today we learned that the flight track variability we have been experiencing since July 11th is – surprise! – not a result of the new GPS approach procedure as we had thought. The new GPS approach procedure was published on July 11th, but we learned today that the FAA is not yet using it. Based on the flight track variability we observed on Webtrak, we had every reason to believe that they were, but....
Our aviation consultant informed us that the flight track variability we are starting to see is actually a result of modifications to two other approach procedures that were modified by the FAA on July 11th in tandem with the scheduled launch of the new GPS procedure. These other two procedures are called the RNAV RNP and the River Visual.
RNAV RNP is an on-board satellite-based navigational aide. Only about 50% of aircraft are equipped to fly the RNAV RNP procedure.
Aircraft that are not RNAV RNP equipped are flying the River Visual procedure (pilots visually follow the river) during good visibility, and are flying the LDA-Y (pilots use on-board instruments) when there is low visibility or a “low cloud ceiling.”
The LDA-Z (which is primarily used when there is low visibility) is currently out of service.
Still with us?
Our aviation consultant says that the FAA is working hard to get the new GPS approach operational because (as mentioned above) only about 50% of aircraft coming into DCA are equipped to fly the RNAV RNP, and they want to get the remaining 40% on the new GPS procedure ASAP (not all aircraft are equipped with satellite-based navigation). However, there are some issues regarding the final segment of the GPS approach procedure into the airport which need to be worked out.
Here’s the good news: while it’s disappointing that aviation-impacted communities always seem to be the last to know anything when it comes to our nation’s airspace, there is a silver lining . . . We are told that the track variability we are currently experiencing is about half of what the potential improvements are likely to be. This is because over 90% of aircraft are equipped with RNAV GPS (versus 50% equipped with RNAV RNP). In other words, GPS will be nearly twice as good.
We will keep you updated as we learn more. If you are interested, you can attend the DCA Community Working Group meeting tomorrow (Thursday) evening beginning at 6:00 PM. The link to join is: https://mwaa.zoom.us/j/89408818615#success.
The MCQSC Team
