The concept of Performance Based Navigation revolves about the shift from ‘sensor-based’ navigation, using conventional navigational aids such as VOR, DME, NDB etc., to ‘Performance Based’ navigation, where the position is continuously calculated by the aircraft equipment. The pilot does not depend on the availability of the navaids, but more on the performance of the aircraft, hence the name Performance Based Navigation.
Advantages are:
- more flexible routings
- more efficient use of airspace
- reduction in need to maintain sensor-specific routes and procedures
States all over the world are making the necessary adjustments and are developing their regulations and procedures. To streamline these regulations ICAO developed Doc 9613, PBN Manual, upon which European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) based their regulations.
Since August 25th 2018, pilots may only fly in accordance with PBN procedures when they have a PBN endorsement to their Instrument Rating, and following August 25th 2020, all Instrument Ratings shall include PBN privileges.
HeLierix has been co-responsible for developing a PBN-course, which is fully compliant with EASA Annex I to ED Decision 2016/008/R and has been accepted by the Dutch and United Kingdom Civil Aviation Administration. Customers that have made use of these services are several Netherlands-based Offshore Helicopter Operators, the Royal Dutch Police, and some foreign Helicopter Training Centres. Furthermore does HeLierix participate in the Dutch PBN Task Force, which is responsible for implementing PBN within the Netherlands and preparing the PBN Roadmap.