BCA Checklist: Five Technologies Providing VFR Flexibility
December 11, 2020
ADS-B In and Out
Credit: FAA
ADS-B In provides more accurate cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) for aircraft that have the capability than TAS or TCAS traffic warning systems. ADS-B In’s CDTI function improves situation awareness and it has demonstrated potential for time, fuel and emissions savings when used by pilots to maintain in-trail procedure space intervals.
RNAV RNP procedures, particularly approach procedures, offer some of the biggest benefits to increase traffic flow capacity. Many RNP procedures require SBAS or WAAS for tight tolerance navigation, putting aircraft on virtual monorails in the sky.
SVS, like EFVS, draws pictures on cockpit displays, providing virtual VFR windows to the outside world regardless of weather or darkness. HUDs keep pilots in the loop when they have SVS and enhanced vision background imagery.
A concern primarily with aircraft in trail, wake vortex is unseen—along with its source—in even the most favorable visual conditions. The problem is compounded with the decrease in lateral or vertical separation, which are among the goals of NexGen.
EFVS that the FAA has qualified for operational credit can be used by operators to fly down to lower minimums than would be possible using unaided vision. Plenty of claims have been made for infrared (IR) EFVS sensors, but the FAA bases the amount of operational credit on demonstrated “quantified visual advantage.”
