BENEFITS OF PBN

Aviation authorities anticipate a number of benefits when PBN becomes widely implemented. These benefits include:

• Safety: Lateral and vertical track-keeping is much more accurate and reliable due to new three-dimensional guided arrival, approach, and departure procedures that cannot be defined by conventional navaids. No accidents have been reported to date associated with the use of RNP/RNAV procedures. In contrast, for all controlled-flight-into-terrain accidents, 60 percent occur on non-precision approaches using conventional navaids. PBN also reduces the flight crew’s exposure to operational errors (see fig. 3).
• Capacity: Delays, congestion, and choke points at airports and in crowded airspace may be reduced because of new and parallel offset routes through terminal airspace, additional ingress/egress points around busy terminal areas, more closely spaced procedures for better use of airspace, and reduced or eliminated conflict in adjacent airport flows (see fig. 4).
• Efficiency: Enhanced reliability, repeatability, and predictability of operations lead to increased air traffic throughput and smoother traffic flow.
• Access: Obstacle clearance and environmental constraints can be better accommodated by applying optimized PBN tracks.

INCREASED OPERATIONAL SAFETY
Figure 3

PBN promises economic benefits as well. For example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has streamlined operations by imple­menting 16 RNAV departures and three RNAV arrivals. The resulting earlier climb to enroute altitudes reduces fuel burn, and the reduced track distances enable fuel savings. For 2007, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport authorities are estimating $34 million in annual fuel savings for airlines as a result of RNAV. The airport is also reporting an additional 10 departures per hour. At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, RNAV departures are allowing between 11 and 20 additional operations per hour.

PBN also offers environmental benefits by saving fuel, reducing C0₂ emissions, and eliminating high-thrust go-arounds. Flying down the middle of a defined flight path means less throttle activity and better avoidance of noise-sensitive areas, so people on the ground perceive less jet noise and are exposed to fewer engine emissions (see fig. 5).

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