About this exercise: 

A real-time simulation in Brétigny will evaluate the use of Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) stations and their impact on runway capacity. GBAS offers an alternative to Instrument Landing System (ILS), the tool currently used to provide lateral and vertical guidance but which has limitations, such as its sensitivity to bad weather and uneven terrain.

The exercise will assess how GBAS can facilitate Cat II/III approaches (e.g. 1000 feet or less of runway visual range) at several runway ends (which are not ILS equipped).  It will also see whether GBAS will allow for reduced arrival spacing during low visibility, which is currently necessary because of the sensitivity of ILS in intemperate weather.

Meanwhile, a flight trial in Blagnac will aim to validate a flight’s autoland performance using GBAS CAT II/III airborne equipment and ground station. Autoland, an automated landing system, is considered a prerequisite for increasing runway throughput during low visibility operations. The exercise will aim to show that unlike ILS, GBAS is capable of managing complex simultaneous approaches across multiple runways.

Expected outcomes:

• Increased runway capacity due to the ability to reduce arrival spacing between aircraft, and simultaneous use of multiple runways
• Reduced installation and maintenance costs compared to ILS
• Limited impact on ATC workload.
• Improved interoperability between air and ground during approach and landing.