AIM
4/3/14
4−7−3
Operational Policy/Procedures for the Gulf of Mexico 50 NM Lateral Separation Initiative
Chapter 1. RNP 4 is addressed in Volume II, Part C;
Chapter 1.
d.
RNP 10 and RNP 4 Job Aids. Operators and
authorities are encouraged to use the RNP 10 or RNP
4 Job Aids posted on the FAA Gulf of Mexico 50 NM
Lateral Separation Initiative Web Page. For U.S.
operators, one set of RNP 10 and RNP 4 Job Aids
provides references to FAA documents. For
international operators, a second set of Job Aids
provide references to the ICAO PBN Manual. These
Job Aids address the operational and airworthiness
elements of aircraft and operator authorization and
provide references to appropriate document para-
graphs. The Job Aids provide a method for operators
to develop and authorities to track the operator/air-
craft program elements required for RNP 10 or RNP
4 authorization.
e.
Qualification of Aircraft Equipped With a
Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS)
For RNP 10 Operations In GoMex CTA’s.
1.
Background. S-LRNS operations in the Gulf
of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and the other
designated areas have been conducted for at least 25
years. Provisions allowing aircraft equipage with a
S-LRNS for operations in specified oceanic and
off-shore areas are contained in the following
sections of 14 Code Of Federal Regulations (CFR):
91.511, 121.351, 125.203 and 135.165.
2.
ICAO PBN Manual Reference. In reference
to RNP 10 authorization, the ICAO PBN Manual,
Volume II, Part B, Chapter 1, paragraph 1.3.6.2 states
that: “A State authority may approve the use of a
single LRNS in specific circumstances (e.g., North
Atlantic MNPS and 14 CFR 121.351 (c) refer). An
RNP 10 approval is still required.”
3.
Policy Development. The FAA worked with
the ICAO NACC Office (North American, Central
American and Caribbean), State regulators and ATS
providers in the GoMex and Caribbean areas to
implement a policy for S-LRNS equipped aircraft to
qualify for RNP 10 for GoMex operations. Allowing
S-LRNS equipped aircraft to qualify for RNP 10
enables more operator aircraft to be authorized RNP
10, thereby creating a more uniform operating
environment for the application of 50 NM lateral
separation. The factors considered were: the
shortness of the legs outside the range of ground
navigation aids, the availability of radar and VHF
coverage in a large portion of GoMex airspace and the
absence of events attributed to S-LRNS in GoMex
operations.
4.
Document Revision. The following docu-
ments were revised or created to enable
implementation of the S-LRNS/RNP 10 qualifica-
tion policy:
(a)
FAA Order (FAAO) 8400.12
(b)
FAA Order 8900.1 (Flight Standards
Information Management System (FSIMS))
(c)
Paragraph B054 of FAA Operations
Specifications and Management Specifications
(Class II Navigation Using Single Long-Range
Navigation System)
(d)
LOA B054 (Class II Navigation Using
Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS)
Equipped Airplane Authorized RNP 10) (LOA’s are
applicable to International General Aviation operat-
ors.)
(e)
FAA RNP 10 Job Aid with FAAO
8400.12 references
(f)
RNP 10 Job Aid with ICAO PBN Manual
references
5.
S-LRNS/RNP 10 Authorization Limited To
GoMex. At this time, S-LRNS qualification for RNP
10 only applies to GoMex operations. Any expansion
of this provision will require assessment and
agreement by the appropriate State authorities.
f.
RNP 10 Time Limit for INS or IRU Only
Equipped Aircraft. Operators should review their
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), AFM Supplement or
other appropriate documents and/or contact the
airplane or avionics manufacturer to determine the
RNP 10 time limit applicable to their aircraft. They
will then need to determine its effect, if any, on their
operation. Unless otherwise approved, the basic RNP
10 time limit is 6.2 hours between position updates
for aircraft on which Inertial Navigation Systems
(INS) or Inertial Reference Units (IRU) provide the
only source of long range navigation. Extended RNP
10 time limits of 10 hours and greater are already
approved for many IRU systems. FAA Order 8400.12
contains provisions for extending RNP 10 time
limits.