Welcome to the world of are navigation, where the rules of the air are less like a strict ballet and more like jazz improvisation. In traditional navigation, everything was like classical music: strict, by the book, with pre-defined routes and procedures.

However, area navigation introduces elements of flexibility and precision that can drastically change the spectrum of possibilities for air traffic management (ATM) controllers and flight crews.

So, let's first recall what area navigation is and why it is becoming increasingly popular? It's an approach that dilutes the strict discipline of existing methods and brings variety, allowing more efficient use of airspace.

In our article, we will explore how exactly this method can affect the operational work of an ATM controller and what factors contribute to its efficiency:

So buckle up, and let's discover how these changes can flip your perception of the sky and how we move within it. Let's go!

So, imagine the sky as a massive airport where all airplanes are trying to find their parking spots. Now, picture each airplane having a VIP pass, granting them access to special, more convenient, and quicker routes. This VIP pass is our flight clearance using PBN (Performance-Based Navigation).

They want to ensure that most airplanes have the required "passes," meaning they meet the necessary navigational requirements. Compliance with these requirements (equipment and clearances) is always indicated in the submitted flight plan through special annotations.

If an aircraft experiences a malfunction in its navigation system or fails to meet the established RNAV/RNP requirements, the situation changes dramatically. In these cases, the controller needs to react quickly and make decisions that will ensure air traffic safety. Imagine your airplane as a car that suddenly loses its brakes on the highway. Your actions must be instantaneous and precise to prevent an emergency situation.

One of the key tasks for air traffic control (ATC) authorities is to increase the throughput of airspace. This is especially important given the growing volume of air traffic. To accomplish this, ATC aims to reduce safe intervals between aircraft without compromising flight safety.

These minimum separation intervals depend on several factors:

1. The level of navigational support (RNP).
2. The maximum data transmission interval for Automatic Dependent Surveillance.

Key parameters that ATC must focus on include:

These parameters influence the structure of airspace and flight rules, and they are considered in the planning and management of air traffic.

Reducing lateral intervals between routes allows for their closer placement, which is especially valuable in the context of area navigation. This provides the opportunity to not be tied to fixed points like ground-based radio beacons, thereby increasing the number of potential routes.

While increasing the number of routes complicates the airspace structure, proper organization and interaction can offset these complexities. A greater number of trajectories provide controllers with additional tools for separation and reduce the number of potential conflicts.

The primary aim of area navigation is to increase the efficiency of airspace use and enhance its capacity. This is achieved by reducing horizontal intervals and increasing the number of routes. These changes facilitate the work of Air Traffic Control (ATC) operators and create the potential for future growth in air traffic intensity.

Sensible management of airspace not only increases its capacity but can also boost the revenue of air navigation service providers through navigation charges. These funds can be directed towards the development of Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems or to address social issues.

Name of article: Area navigation and ATC. Part 1
Release date: 8/24/2023
Acrticle author: Georgii Kurbatskii