About this exercise:

Two flight tests performed in Turin will assess the performance of regional aircraft fitted with upgraded avionics when performing advanced approach procedures with vertical guidance. The tests will also evaluate the efficiency and situational awareness of the flight crew and ATCOs when these procedures are used.

Specifically the tests will determine whether the aircraft is capable of adhering to a given flight path throughout the entire approach. They will also evaluate the aircraft’s ability to remain stabilised following the transition from the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) mode to the Localizer performance with vertical guidance (LVP) mode.

Furthermore, safety aspects, mainly related to flight path monitoring by ATCOs, will be qualitatively investigated.

Expected outcomes:

• Increased flight efficiency and fuel efficiency, with a better adherence to the nominal flight track
• Increased predictability, with better punctuality of arrival traffic
• Increased ATCO efficiency due to better compliance by aircraft to their flight path.