EGNOS: a big system for small aerodromes

The work presented in this paper evaluates the benefits and services that EGNOS based navigation can provide to a regional network of aerodromes. The basic enablers for deploying this kind of operations are pointed out, focusing in airport infrastructure but also in required avionics and pilots rating. The regional aerodrome network of Catalonia is now managed by the public company Aeroports de Catalunya, jointly with local authorities, under control and supervision of the regional Government of Catalonia, aimed at providing the region with an enhanced and high quality network of aerodromes: between its plans, the modernization of the existing network and the construction of several new regional aerodromes, as well as one business airport. This work also analyses how the benefits of EGNOS for this emerging network can be taken into account in future policies of Aeroports de Catalunya. For instance, opportunities for new users such as fire extinguishing and rescue services as well as potential business development (like small air taxi companies) are pointed out. In addition, a new specific procedure design tool is presented. RAPIT (RNAV and APV Procedures Integrated Tool) is a CAD environment software tool specifically developed to assist RNAV and APV procedures design. It is able to manage cartographic and geographic data, making use of modern Digital Terrain Models, as well as obstacle databases. Moreover, it includes some basic drawing tools to assist procedure design. Finally a feasibility study of new EGNOS APV approach procedures is presented for two particular airports of the Catalan secondary airport network.