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Most recently, 83,606 visit the European Space Expo in Zagreb’s Trg Bana Josipa Jelacia Square.

The numbers continue to grow for the European Space Expo, as over 800,000 people have now visited the traveling exhibit. From June 12 through June 21, the iconic dome was set up in Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica Square in Zagreb, Croatia. During that time, 83,606 came into the dome to learn about the importance of space in Europe – placing the event second only to Athens for overall attendance.

The large number of attendees demonstrates the huge interest in space and space applications across Europe. Besides the large attendance numbers, the Expo also garnered significant media attention, and a considerable number of school groups visited the Expo, educating a younger generation about space exploration.

One highlight was 15 year old Marko Bermanec, who studies micrometeorites and talked about his passion for the topic during the event. His enthusiasm paid off as he was named the winner of the national astronomical competition for his age category.

Next Stop: Oslo

The European Space Expo is an initiative of the European Commission, with support of the European GNSS Agency (GSA). It illustrates the many benefits, services and applications derived from such European space programmes as Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus in a fun, interactive and accessible way.

The Expo is one of the most successful public exhibitions ever run by the EU. It continues its tour around Europe, educating people about the benefits of investing in space and the value of space-powered applications.

Next up is Oslo, Norway, where the ESE will be open 28 August – 6 September.

More Information

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) partners with ESA and Sipa Press to promote the role of women in the space sector.

Women have always been involved in space and space exploration. In fact, in 1963 Valentina Terechkova became the first woman to fly into space. However, since then the number of women entering the field has been slim.

To help change this, Sipa Press and ESA, with the participation of the GSA, recently set out to document women’s contribution to the space industry, with the goal of inspiring a new generation of women in space. The result is a multi-media photo exhibition depicting three generations of women from around the world all involved in space exploration.

It Starts with a Dream

Many girls dream of becoming astronomers, designing rockets or being the first to land on Mars. The photo exhibition starts with the dream, highlighting girls participating in space related activities, including girls attending Space Camp in the US launching homemade rockets in Biscarosse, France. It then captures these dreams becoming a reality by portraying women currently working in the space sector.

One of the women featured in the project is the GSA’s Deputy Head of Market Development, Fiammetta Diani. Since 2009, Fiammetta has been working to promote the adoption of European satellite navigation programmes, Galileo and EGNOS, by a wide range of business segments.

Opening in Paris, Showing in Brussels and More to Come!

The “Space Girls, Space Women” inaugural exhibition will take place in Paris today, 29 June at 15h in the ‘Musée Arts & Métiers’. It will include a panel discussion with several of the featured women and other notables from the space sector.

The exhibition will then be on display in Paris at the ‘Musée Arts & Métiers’ and on the gates to the garden at the Paris Observatory from 18 June – 1 November 2015

In addition, also today, 29 June in Brussels, an excerpt from the full photo exhibition will be on display as part of the ‘Space and Society Conference: Towards a European Space Community’, at the European Economic and Social Committee.

A special showing of the exhibition will also take place in October in Prague during the first ‘GSA Open Days’. Stay tuned for more details!

More Information

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) partners with ESA and Sipa Press to promote the role of women in the space sector.

Women have always been involved in space and space exploration. In fact, in 1963 Valentina Terechkova became the first woman to fly into space. However, since then the number of women entering the field has been slim.

To help change this, Sipa Press and ESA, with the participation of the GSA, recently set out to document women’s contribution to the space industry, with the goal of inspiring a new generation of women in space. The result is a multi-media photo exhibition depicting three generations of women from around the world all involved in space exploration.

It Starts with a Dream

Many girls dream of becoming astronomers, designing rockets or being the first to land on Mars. The photo exhibition starts with the dream, highlighting girls participating in space related activities, including girls attending Space Camp in the US launching homemade rockets in Biscarosse, France. It then captures these dreams becoming a reality by portraying women currently working in the space sector.

One of the women featured in the project is the GSA’s Deputy Head of Market Development, Fiammetta Diani. Since 2009, Fiammetta has been working to promote the adoption of European satellite navigation programmes, Galileo and EGNOS, by a wide range of business segments.

Opening in Paris, Showing in Brussels and More to Come!

The “Space Girls, Space Women” inaugural exhibition will take place in Paris today, 29 June at 15h in the ‘Musée Arts & Métiers’. It will include a panel discussion with several of the featured women and other notables from the space sector.

The exhibition will then be on display in Paris at the ‘Musée Arts & Métiers’ and on the gates to the garden at the Paris Observatory from 18 June – 1 November 2015

In addition, also today, 29 June in Brussels, an excerpt from the full photo exhibition will be on display as part of the ‘Space and Society Conference: Towards a European Space Community’, at the European Economic and Social Committee.

A special showing of the exhibition will also take place in October in Prague during the first ‘GSA Open Days’. Stay tuned for more details!

More Information

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The June 30th deadline for the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) and Copernicus Masters is quickly approaching, and winners could receive a share of prizes totalling EUR 1 million to launch their satellite navigation ideas into reality.

APPLY HERE

The Galileo satellite constellation is continually expanding, and with it the need for corresponding applications. The ESNC is looking for creative GNSS-based applications that address specific business applications or have a demonstrated impact on social issues.

Winners of 30 regional and special prizes will all be in the running to win the grand prize of EUR 20,000 and a six-month incubation programme in their region of choice, with the possibility of another six-month extension.

    Also Read: Do You Have the Next Best Idea for Satellite Navigation?

In addition, this year the GSA is again sponsoring a Special Prize for the Most Promising Application for European GNSS, which aims to support the development of applications that rely on both EGNOS and Galileo and provide social and economic benefits.

Last year, the competition received more than 600 business cases from about 50 companies.

The June 30th deadline for the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) and Copernicus Masters is quickly approaching, and winners could receive a share of prizes totalling EUR 1 million to launch their satellite navigation ideas into reality.

APPLY HERE

The Galileo satellite constellation is continually expanding, and with it the need for corresponding applications. The ESNC is looking for creative GNSS-based applications that address specific business applications or have a demonstrated impact on social issues.

Winners of 30 regional and special prizes will all be in the running to win the grand prize of EUR 20,000 and a six-month incubation programme in their region of choice, with the possibility of another six-month extension.

    Also Read: Do You Have the Next Best Idea for Satellite Navigation?

In addition, this year the GSA is again sponsoring a Special Prize for the Most Promising Application for European GNSS, which aims to support the development of applications that rely on both EGNOS and Galileo and provide social and economic benefits.

Last year, the competition received more than 600 business cases from about 50 companies.

More Information

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The GSA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the replenishment of EGNOS geostationary satellites navigation payloads. The purpose of the replenishment is to ensure continuous EGNOS Signal In Space availability and to support future transition from EGNOS V2 to EGNOS V3.

Through this RFI, the GSA looks to collect information about the market in terms of availability of future navigation payloads, as well as seek opinions regarding certain aspects of the envisaged procurement, in particular in terms of feasibility of preliminary requirements.

The GSA plans to replenish the EGNOS navigation payloads starting in 2019 for a duration of 15 years. Currently, EGNOS message is broadcast to the users through navigation payloads on board 2 GEO satellites in Operation (for redundancy purpose) covering each an area which comprises latitudes from 20°N to 70°N and longitudes from 40°W to 40°E. Nominally, a third GEO navigation payload is used for test purpose and can be used in operation in case one of the two GEO navigation payloads used in operation needs to be replaced or moved to test. The payloads in operation relay the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) signals generated on ground, allowing the users to benefit from the augmented positioning accuracy and integrity (Open Service and Safety of Life Service).

Answers to the RFI should be addressed electronically to tenders@gsa.europa.eu by 31 July 2015.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The GSA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the replenishment of EGNOS geostationary satellites navigation payloads. The purpose of the replenishment is to ensure continuous EGNOS Signal In Space availability and to support future transition from EGNOS V2 to EGNOS V3.

Through this RFI, the GSA looks to collect information about the market in terms of availability of future navigation payloads, as well as seek opinions regarding certain aspects of the envisaged procurement, in particular in terms of feasibility of preliminary requirements.

The GSA plans to replenish the EGNOS navigation payloads starting in 2019 for a duration of 15 years. Currently, EGNOS message is broadcast to the users through navigation payloads on board 2 GEO satellites in Operation (for redundancy purpose) covering each an area which comprises latitudes from 20°N to 70°N and longitudes from 40°W to 40°E. Nominally, a third GEO navigation payload is used for test purpose and can be used in operation in case one of the two GEO navigation payloads used in operation needs to be replaced or moved to test. The payloads in operation relay the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) signals generated on ground, allowing the users to benefit from the augmented positioning accuracy and integrity (Open Service and Safety of Life Service).

Answers to the RFI should be addressed electronically to tenders@gsa.europa.eu by 31 July 2015.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Today the GSA launches its Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for Proposals. Building on the momentum generated from the great results of its Aviation Call for Grants 2014 , the new call will further boost EGNOS adoption in aviation. From regional to commercial, business and general aviation and even rotorcraft – all airspace users will benefit from the Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for proposals.

Scope of the Grant

The objective of the second Call is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to support projects that enable users to equip and use their aircraft/rotorcraft fleet with GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics. On the other hand, it looks to allow Air Navigation Service Providers and aerodromes/heliports to implement EGNOS based operations in Europe.

Specifically, the call aims to:

1. Foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS based operations, including approach procedures at different European aerodromes and EGNOS based routes, including LPV 200
2. Develop and install GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima and PinS
3. Develop Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Service Bulletins (SB)
4. Achieve the approval of Air Operator Certificates for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with SBAS capabilities
5. Develop enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption, including simulators, and prepare for future EGNOS capabilities in navigation, surveillance and communication.

To accomplish this, proposals are expected to address activities in one or more of the following areas:

• RNP APCH Procedures to LPV Minima
• PinS Procedures to LPV Minima
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Forward Fit
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Retrofit
• Development of Service Bulletin and/or Supplemental Type Certificate
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations adoption

The Details

Application documents and additional information can be found here. The deadline for submitting applications is 23:59 CET 30 September 2015.

Applications will be assessed in terms of relevance of the proposal and credibility of the proposed approach, social and economic impact, and coherence and effectiveness of the work plan.

The total budget of the call is EUR 6 million and maximum EU financing of eligible direct costs is 60%. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of the evaluation in December 2015.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Today the GSA launches its Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for Proposals. Building on the momentum generated from the great results of its Aviation Call for Grants 2014 , the new call will further boost EGNOS adoption in aviation. From regional to commercial, business and general aviation and even rotorcraft – all airspace users will benefit from the Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for proposals.

Scope of the Grant

The objective of the second Call is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to support projects that enable users to equip and use their aircraft/rotorcraft fleet with GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics. On the other hand, it looks to allow Air Navigation Service Providers and aerodromes/heliports to implement EGNOS based operations in Europe.

Specifically, the call aims to:

1. Foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS based operations, including approach procedures at different European aerodromes and EGNOS based routes, including LPV 200
2. Develop and install GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima and PinS
3. Develop Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Service Bulletins (SB)
4. Achieve the approval of Air Operator Certificates for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with SBAS capabilities
5. Develop enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption, including simulators, and prepare for future EGNOS capabilities in navigation, surveillance and communication.

To accomplish this, proposals are expected to address activities in one or more of the following areas:

• RNP APCH Procedures to LPV Minima
• PinS Procedures to LPV Minima
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Forward Fit
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Retrofit
• Development of Service Bulletin and/or Supplemental Type Certificate
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations adoption

The Details

Application documents and additional information can be found here. The deadline for submitting applications is 23:59 CET 30 September 2015.

Applications will be assessed in terms of relevance of the proposal and credibility of the proposed approach, social and economic impact, and coherence and effectiveness of the work plan.

The total budget of the call is EUR 6 million and maximum EU financing of eligible direct costs is 60%. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of the evaluation in December 2015.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Today the GSA launches its Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for Proposals. Building on the momentum generated from the great results of its Aviation Call for Grants 2014 , the new call will further boost EGNOS adoption in aviation. From regional to commercial, business and general aviation and even rotorcraft – all airspace users will benefit from the Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for proposals.

Scope of the Grant

The objective of the second Call is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to support projects that enable users to equip and use their aircraft/rotorcraft fleet with GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics. On the other hand, it looks to allow Air Navigation Service Providers and aerodromes/heliports to implement EGNOS based operations in Europe.

Specifically, the call aims to:

1. Foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS based operations, including approach procedures at different European aerodromes and EGNOS based routes, including LPV 200
2. Develop and install GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima and PinS
3. Develop Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Service Bulletins (SB)
4. Achieve the approval of Air Operator Certificates for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with SBAS capabilities
5. Develop enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption, including simulators, and prepare for future EGNOS capabilities in navigation, surveillance and communication.

To accomplish this, proposals are expected to address activities in one or more of the following areas:

• RNP APCH Procedures to LPV Minima
• PinS Procedures to LPV Minima
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Forward Fit
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Retrofit
• Development of Service Bulletin and/or Supplemental Type Certificate
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations adoption

The Details

Application documents and additional information can be found here. The deadline for submitting applications is 23:59 CET 30 September 2015.

Applications will be assessed in terms of relevance of the proposal and credibility of the proposed approach, social and economic impact, and coherence and effectiveness of the work plan.

The total budget of the call is EUR 6 million and maximum EU financing of eligible direct costs is 60%. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of the evaluation in December 2015.

More Information

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Today the GSA launches its Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for Proposals. Building on the momentum generated from the great results of its Aviation Call for Grants 2014 , the new call will further boost EGNOS adoption in aviation. From regional to commercial, business and general aviation and even rotorcraft – all airspace users will benefit from the Second EGNOS Adoption Aviation Call for proposals.

Scope of the Grant

The objective of the second Call is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to support projects that enable users to equip and use their aircraft/rotorcraft fleet with GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics. On the other hand, it looks to allow Air Navigation Service Providers and aerodromes/heliports to implement EGNOS based operations in Europe.

Specifically, the call aims to:

1. Foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS based operations, including approach procedures at different European aerodromes and EGNOS based routes, including LPV 200
2. Develop and install GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima and PinS
3. Develop Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Service Bulletins (SB)
4. Achieve the approval of Air Operator Certificates for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with SBAS capabilities
5. Develop enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption, including simulators, and prepare for future EGNOS capabilities in navigation, surveillance and communication.

To accomplish this, proposals are expected to address activities in one or more of the following areas:

• RNP APCH Procedures to LPV Minima
• PinS Procedures to LPV Minima
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Forward Fit
• Aircraft or Rotorcraft Retrofit
• Development of Service Bulletin and/or Supplemental Type Certificate
• Development of enablers and other EGNOS based operations adoption

The Details

Application documents and additional information can be found here. The deadline for submitting applications is 23:59 CET 30 September 2015.

Applications will be assessed in terms of relevance of the proposal and credibility of the proposed approach, social and economic impact, and coherence and effectiveness of the work plan.

The total budget of the call is EUR 6 million and maximum EU financing of eligible direct costs is 60%. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of the evaluation in December 2015.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

Most people associate flying with going on holiday or crossing oceans and continents for business. This typically involves large commercial aircraft flying between major hubs using expensive instrument landing systems (ILS) that allow for landing in all types of weather – and hence the management of high volumes of traffic, seven days a week.

In parallel to this there is the significant - and growing - sector of business aviation and the traffic it generates. Instead of flying “gate-to-gate”, business aviation flies “door-to-door”, often using smaller airports that are close to the client’s destination and point of departure.  Unfortunately, many of these airports are not equipped with instrument landing systems, limiting their access in bad weather.

         Also Read: EGNOS Moves Closer to Dual Frequency

This is where satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), such as the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), come in. EGNOS LPV (localiser performance with vertical guidance) approaches using SBAS require no ground infrastructure and can bring near-precision approach minima (currently 250 feet) performance to any kind of airport. All that is needed is a certified EGNOS receiver in the aircraft, a crew trained to fly LPV, a published LPV procedure at the airport and operational approval for operators.

“Maintaining access to primary, secondary and tertiary airports in all weather conditions is vital for business aviation,” says Belarmino Paradela, Senior Manager of Economic and Operational Activities at the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). “With this in mind, business aviation holds a strong preference for SBAS for area navigation LPV. This system does not rely on airport-specific technology and can therefore be deployed at any airport in Europe – even for helicopter operations.”  

A cost-effective solution for smaller airports

“The benefits of EGNOS are particularly noticeable for small airports struggling with costs,” says Jean-Philippe Ramu, a pilot with NetJets Europe, a leading business aviation company. “While the uptake of this technology has been slower in Europe compared to the US, both airports and aircraft are increasingly using EGNOS. For example, NetJets Europe’s new Signature Series fleet of aircraft will be equipped with LPV functionality.”

         Also Read: Come Fly with EGNOS!

“The costs of retrofitting an aircraft with EGNOS-enabled LPV precision approaches is higher than for operating GPS-enabled lateral navigation (LNAV), non-precision approaches,” adds Ramu. “Nevertheless, LPV functionality is likely to be standard equipment in all new aircraft.”
With the additional enhancement of EGNOS, enabling a decision height as low as 200 feet, LPV precision approaches have a great future in the European airport network. Indeed, an independent cost-benefit analysis commissioned by the GSA estimated that the benefits for Europe’s aviation sector could total EUR 2.4 billion by 2030.

Boosting EGNOS precision-based navigation in regional airports

In July 2014, the GSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EBAA to promote the wider use of EGNOS precision-based navigation (PBN) at regional airports in Europe. “This has provided a unique opportunity, where an EU Agency and an Airspace User are collaborating to pursue a common goal,” says Paradela. “We are extremely happy with the working relationship that we have established with the GSA. Considering the complexity and the size of the task, given the resources engaged by both parties, and thanks to the involvement of our operators, the uptake accomplished so far is impressive.”

         Watch This: EGNOS Flight Event

“From the ground-side perspective, the first thing was to assess the situation of the different airports in the EBAA’s ‘wish list’ for EGNOS implementation,” he adds. “We refined the initial list of 100 airports by concentrating on the more mature projects, considering the needs and priorities of our operators and taking into account the realities on the ground. We helped unblock some challenging bottlenecks and speed up processes, and are proud to announce that at least one airport has finalised its LPV deployment thanks to our joint actions. Others are in the pipeline today and we hope that, by the end of the year, two additional airports will be announced.”

Removing regulatory bottlenecks

Some of the main challenges the sector is facing today are the heaviness and complexity of the LPV airport implementation procedure and the absence of clear guidelines for visual flight rules (VFR) airports. “Another big challenge is the design of the LPV procedure itself, which currently follows the pattern of instrument landing systems (ILS), so there is no incentive for operators to use LPV instead of the traditional ILS,” explains Paradela. “Considering the capabilities and the gains offered by the LPV technology, such as curved approaches and double glide slope etc., it is a pity we cannot benefit from them today.”

        See Also: EGNOS in Aviation

EBAA and GSA will also soon be publishing guidelines to help operators obtain their operational approval from their respective national authorities. “This will be a big step forward as, at the moment, the behaviour of national authorities and the complexity of this procedure varies from country to country, and from operator to operator,” says Paradela.

Benefits for all

Belarmino Paradela thinks the future of business aviation will probably involve both SBAS and GBAS. “In terms of efficiency, SBAS is more versatile,” he says, “but it only allows CAT 1 operations (which is more than sufficient in the vast majority of airports), while GBAS offers auto-land capability, which is a must if you are a big hub needing to guarantee 24/7 IFR access in all-weather conditions.”

        Read the Report: EGNOS and Aviation Market Report

According to Paradela, from a commercial standpoint, SBAS is more cost-effective than GBAS since it does not require ground equipment weighing in at EUR 1M. In the end, it is a question of cost-benefit analysis for the airport, which needs to trade precision against cost.

“We believe the big benefit lies in the reduction of business aviation’s environmental and noise footprint,” he concludes. “This will allow for better cohabitation of air transport and local citizens – and of course the safety improvement cannot be ignored as a great benefit!”

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The GSA recently announced the projects selected for funding under its 2014 Aviation Call for Grants. The first Call brought great results, with 13 out of the submitted 38 proposals being awarded funding. The grant will foster EGNOS operational implementation for all aviation sectors, including commercial, regional, business, general and rotorcraft.

             Read This: EGNOS Aviation Market Report

The selected projects are expected to play a significant role in both expanding the implementation of EGNOS based procedures at airports and in the installation of GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics.

Specifically, the following results are expected:

• Sixty-nine new RNP approaches based on EGNOS at 36 aerodromes
• The launch of the first LPV-200 procedures in Europe, allowing for a CAT I level of performance
• The implementation of two procedures in a non-instrument runway, allowing these procedures to be used to improve safety in aerodromes that lack complex ground infrastructure
• Eight Point in Space (PinS) procedures in 7 helipads
• Four Air Operators will retrofit 65 aircraft
• Three upgrades to rotorcraft avionics
• Three flight simulators will be upgrade with EGNOS avionics and
• Service Bulletins will be developed to allow more simulators to provide EGNOS training

“The number of new procedures implemented thanks to the GSA Aviation Grant will have a huge impact in respect to the current EGNOS enabled network,” says GSA Market Development Officer Carmen Aguilera. 

Aguilera also notes the grants will not only extend the EGNOS enabled network, but also help fill the gaps of where EGNOS procedures are available in Europe, allowing more operators to benefit from it. “These projects are a good opportunity for airports, airspace users and operators to work together to explore all the synergies coming from this joint effort,” she says. “With more of Europe being able to take advantage of EGNOS procedures, the aviation sector will benefit from increased safety and more accessibility – a win-win for everyone involved.”

The total budget for the call was EUR 6 million. The Second Call is expected to launch later this month – stay tuned for more details.

SB: Service Bulletin, STC: Supplemental Type Certificate, VFR: Visual Flight Rules, ATC: Air Traffic Control

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The GSA recently announced the projects selected for funding under its 2014 Aviation Call for Grants. The first Call brought great results, with 13 out of the submitted 38 proposals being awarded funding. The grant will foster EGNOS operational implementation for all aviation sectors, including commercial, regional, business, general and rotorcraft.

             Read This: EGNOS Aviation Market Report

The selected projects are expected to play a significant role in both expanding the implementation of EGNOS based procedures at airports and in the installation of GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics.

Specifically, the following results are expected:

• Sixty-nine new RNP approaches based on EGNOS at 36 aerodromes
• The launch of the first LPV-200 procedures in Europe, allowing for a CAT I level of performance
• The implementation of two procedures in a non-instrument runway, allowing these procedures to be used to improve safety in aerodromes that lack complex ground infrastructure
• Eight Point in Space (PinS) procedures in 7 helipads
• Four Air Operators will retrofit 65 aircraft
• Three upgrades to rotorcraft avionics
• Three flight simulators will be upgrade with EGNOS avionics and
• Service Bulletins will be developed to allow more simulators to provide EGNOS training

“The number of new procedures implemented thanks to the GSA Aviation Grant will have a huge impact in respect to the current EGNOS enabled network,” says GSA Market Development Officer Carmen Aguilera. 

Aguilera also notes the grants will not only extend the EGNOS enabled network, but also help fill the gaps of where EGNOS procedures are available in Europe, allowing more operators to benefit from it. “These projects are a good opportunity for airports, airspace users and operators to work together to explore all the synergies coming from this joint effort,” she says. “With more of Europe being able to take advantage of EGNOS procedures, the aviation sector will benefit from increased safety and more accessibility – a win-win for everyone involved.”

The total budget for the call was EUR 6 million. The Second Call is expected to launch later this month – stay tuned for more details.

SB: Service Bulletin, STC: Supplemental Type Certificate, VFR: Visual Flight Rules, ATC: Air Traffic Control

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The Airbus A350 XWB recently became the first wide-body jet to achieve certification for its installed EGNOS-based landing system – a significant step in the uptake of the service within the commercial aviation sector.

EGNOS is fully integrated into a common, harmonised landing system interface on the A350 – the SLS. This allows the pilot to fly precision approaches similar to an Instrument Landing System (ILS) with geometrical vertical guidance down to the same minimum decision height as for CAT I operations. This new navigation system provides Airbus operators a wider range of solutions to optimise operations and increase accessibility without compromising on safety.

The EGNOS-enabled Airbus 350 XWB was recently on display during the EGNOS Flight Demonstration, held in Toulouse, Airbus’ home base. “As a test pilot, I had the opportunity very early on to perform Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance, or LPV, approaches based on the EGNOS constellation on the A350 XWB,” says Airbus Test Pilot Jean-Christophe Lair. “Overall, my experience on using an LPV EGNOS approach system is fully satisfying!”

Growing Demand

Today, 150 airports in 18 countries across Europe have EGNOS approaches implemented. Besides three geostationary satellites, the network uses 40 ground stations, allowing for precision guidance and safety. More so, there are currently 256 EGNOS-based approach procedures (LPV and EGNOS enabled Baro) and, by 2020, this number is expected to double.

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Having met the performance standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, EGNOS is a proven, cost-effective way for both large and small airports to expand their navigation infrastructure and increase aircraft safety.

 

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) agree, with airport access being a key factor to the viability of the industry, EGNOS is clearly an enabler. 

Designed for aviation, EGNOS is bringing many benefits to the business aviation industry. For example, business aviation operators base their work on efficiency, which often requires landing at small airports where other navigation aids are not available, or economically not feasible. EGNOS-based procedures can be implemented at these “door-to-door” airports, significantly improving accessibility. As a result, many business aviation manufacturers are already fitting EGNOS capabilities into their aircraft’s avionics.

Recently, the GSA promoted these EGNOS advantages during the annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva. During the event, GSA representatives spoke with manufacturers, operators, pilots and associations to raise interest and inform them about the latest EGNOS initiatives.

The main message of interest to attendees was the fact that new business aviation units are LPV-capable, and many operators agreed that they want to be able to fly with EGNOS. The Agency was also able to confirm or update forward-fit records from Bombardier, Dassault, Boeing, Daher, AugstaWestland, Hondajet, Textron, and Piaggio, along with gaining essential data from Nextant, Quest, and LET.

Access and Safety

During EBACE, the GSA participated in a panel discussion on Airport Access, where they joined representatives from the European Commission, EBAA, NetJets Europe, Universal Weather & Aviation and the SESAR Joint Undertaking.

GSA Head of Market Development Gian Gherardo Calini said that because of tight time schedules and the need to land at smaller airports, the accessibility that EGNOS provides in all weather conditions is extremely important in business aviation. “This is another area where EGNOS provides huge benefits, as RNP approaches down to LPV enable all weather near-precision approaches without the need for expensive ground equipment,” he said. “EGNOS currently allows 250 feet minima, with the goal of reaching 200 feet minima by the end of the year, which will increase operators’ real operational capabilities and overall safety.” 

In addition to the panel discussion, GSA Market Development Officer Carmen Aguilera presented EGNOS based approaches during an EBACE Safety Workshop. In particular, she highlighted the relevance of increased situational awareness and vertical guidance brought by EGNOS, especially when flying to airports with limited ground navaids.

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“Maintaining access to primary, secondary and tertiary airports in all weather conditions is vital for business aviation,” added Belarmino Paradela, Senior Manager of Economic and Operational Activities at the EBAA. “With this in mind, business aviation holds a strong preference for SBAS for area navigation LPV.

SBAS systems, like EGNOS, do not rely on airport-specific technology and can therefore be deployed at almost any airport in Europe – even for helicopter operations.” 

“The benefits of EGNOS are particularly relevant for small airports struggling with costs,” said Jean-Philippe Ramu, a pilot with NetJets Europe, a leading business aviation company. “While the uptake of this technology has been slower in Europe compared to the US, both airports and aircrafts are increasingly using EGNOS. For example, NetJets Europe’s recently purchased  ‘Signature Series’ fleet  will be equipped with LPV functionality.”

“The costs of retrofitting an aircraft with EGNOS-enabled avionics is higher than for operating GPS-enabled lateral navigation (LNAV), non-precision approaches,” added Ramu. “Nevertheless, LPV functionality is likely to be standard equipment in all new aircraft.”

Calini acknowledged that small airports often struggle with costs, but noted EGNOS could ease the financial burdens. “An independent cost-benefit analysis commissioned by the GSA estimated that the benefits for Europe’s aviation sector could total EUR 2.4 billion by 2030,” he said.

Removing Regulatory Bottlenecks

Some of the main challenges the sector is facing today is the possibility to implement LPV to non-instrumental runways, and GSA is working together with ESSP and Eurocontrol towards harmonised implementation throughout Europe.

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EBAA and GSA will also soon be publishing guidelines to help operators obtain their operational approval from their respective national authorities. “This will be a big step forward as, at the moment, the behaviour of national authorities and the complexity of this procedure varies from country to country, and from operator to operator,” said Paradela.

Benefits for All

Belarmino Paradela thinks the future of business aviation will probably involve both SBAS and GBAS. “In terms of efficiency, SBAS is more versatile,” he said, “but it only allows CAT 1 operations (which is more than sufficient in the vast majority of airports), while GBAS offers auto-land capability, which is a must if you are a big hub needing to guarantee 24/7 IFR access in all-weather conditions.”

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According to Paradela, from a commercial standpoint, SBAS is more cost-effective than GBAS since it does not require ground equipment weighing in at EUR 1M. In the end, it is a question of cost-benefit analysis for the airport, which needs to trade precision against cost.

“We believe the big benefit lies in the reduction of business aviation’s environmental and noise footprint,” he concluded. “This will allow for better cohabitation of air transport and local citizens – and of course the safety improvement cannot be ignored as a great benefit!”

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu).