Wake turbulence separation optimisation
SJU reference PJ.02-01

The project aims to optimise wake turbulence separation minima for arrivals and departures to enhance airport runway throughput. It focuses on development of:

• wake separations reductions based on weather and static aircraft characteristics;
• separation delivery support tool for controllers;
• wake risk monitoring and awareness functions (ground and airborne);
• wake vortex decay enhancing devices.

Enhanced arrival procedures enabled by satellite technologies
SJU reference PJ.02-02

The project will investigate the use of satellite navigation and augmentation capabilities, such as GBAS and satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), to enhance landing performance and to facilitate advanced arrival procedures (e.g. curved approaches, glide slope increase, displaced runway threshold). By doing so, noise is reduced while runway occupancy time (ROT) is optimised. The aim is to also reduce the need for separation for wake vortex avoidance.

Minimum-pair separations based on required surveillance performance (RSP)
SJU reference PJ.02-03

The project will work on the application (by air traffic control) of non-wake turbulence pair wise separation (PWS) of 2 nautical miles for arrivals on final approach (at the point that the leading aircraft in the pair crosses the runway threshold), based upon required surveillance performance (RSP).

Independent rotorcraft operations at airports SJU reference PJ.02-05

The work refers to RC specific approach procedures and SBAS-based point-in-space (PinS), which aim to improve access to secondary airports in low-visibility conditions.

Improved access into secondary airports in low-visibility conditions
SJU reference PJ.02-06

Improved access into secondary airports in low-visibility conditions will be possible thanks to the introduction of new airborne capabilities, such as RNP and global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based landing systems.

Traffic optimisation on single and multiple runway airports
SJU reference PJ.02-08

The project will develop and validate a system that enables tower and approach controllers to optimise runway operations arrival and/or departure spacing and make the best use of minimum separations, runway occupancy, runway capacity and airport capacity.

Enhanced terminal area for efficient curved operations
SJU reference PJ.02-11

The project will look a curved segment approaches as close to the runway as possible to optimise procedures in terms of fuel consumption or noise abatement. Using geometric vertical navigation guidance in the TMA will facilitate a more efficient transition from barometric to geometric vertical navigation.