Airservices has announced it will begin introducing GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System) into service at Australian airports from late 2009, starting with Sydney.
Honeywell’s SmartPath Precision Landing System recently became the world’s first GBAS to achieve certification by the US FAA, and was developed with assistance from Airservices. GBAS improves the accuracy of aircraft positioning and can guide aircraft along a predictable, precise landing path by correcting GPS errors and transmitting data directly to the aircraft’s flight management system.
“GBAS is the 21st century alternative to the 1930’s-era Instrument Landing Systems and offers major improvements in airport safety, efficiency and capacity,” general manager air traffic control, Jason Harfield, said.
“Airservices is now working with domestic and international airlines to encourage take-up of GBAS avionics and to work cooperatively on new, efficient GBAS procedures.” Harfield said.
“We expect to complete the installation in Sydney by the end of the year and are working with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve the GBAS service approval in 2010.
A Honeywell/Airservices’s GBAS trial system has been operating at Sydney since November 2006.
