In the frame of the GNSS Introduction in the Aviation Sector (GIANT) project, an European Comission 6th Framework Programme project managed by the Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU), a flight demonstration based on EGNOS was performed on 21st October 2006 in Valencia airport (Spain) with an Air Nostrum Dash-8 aircraft. Airnostrum is one of the leading regional airlines in Europe.
This demonstration, coordinated by Aena’s Satellite Navigation Division, represents a big step towards the introduction of EGNOS in the Aviation sector since it is the first time that an airline flies with this technology in Europe.
The flight consisted in a number of Localiser Performance with Vertical guidance (LPV) approaches based on EGNOS to runway 12 at Valencia airport. The avionics installation, led by Pildo Labs, consisted in a GARMIN GNS480 and a Course / Vertical Deviation Indicator (CDI / VDI) that provided the pilot with superb horizontal and vertical guidance along the final approach segment.
In the case of runway 12 at Valencia airport, EGNOS enabled an approach path aligned with the runway centre-line and a significant reduction in the minima of more than 700 feet, with respect to the current Non-Precision Approach procedure to this runway. Therefore significant benefits are expected from EGNOS once the service is finally opeational.
After the first successfull set of trials planned in the frame of the GIANT project, the first GIANT User Forum was successfully held in Valencia on the 3rd November 2006 with an important participation from worldwide aviation stakeholders including civil aviation authorities, service providers, airlines, aviation industry, helicopter operators, General aviation associations, among others.
All material presented during the Workshop is already available through the GIANT website, including a video for the flights demonstration.
Future
In 2007, further flight demonstrations will be conducted. Firstly, LPV approaches at San Sebastian airport (North of Spain) with a Dash-8 aircraft equipped with stand-alone SBAS avionics. Subsequently, additional flights will be performed with a CRJ-200 aircraft with an integrated avionics configuration, in Valencia airport and another European airport, likely, Bologna in Italy.
Moreover, helicopter flight demonstrations are also foreseen. Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operations based on EGNOS will be carried out in a helipad of a hospital in Lausanne (Switzerland). In addition, flight demonstrations to oil rigs in the North Sea will be performed as well.
The GIANT project started in July 2005 by a consortium of European companies led by INECO, with an important participation of Aena and Air Nostrum. The aim of GIANT is to support the introduction of satellite navigation services – EGNOS and Galileo – in the civil aviation sector.
For further information, please visit www.gnss-giant.com
Information is also available through the GIC web: www.galileoic.org
