Advisory Circular (AC) No. 700-006

Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP 4) and Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP 10) Airspace

Issuing Office:	Standards
Activity Area:	Qualifying	AC No.:	700-006
File No.:	A 5240-9-7	Issue No:	01
RDIMS No.:	4398208-V8	Effective Date:	2009-11-03

• 1.0 INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Purpose
  • 1.2 Applicability
  • 1.3 Description of Changes
• 2.0 REFERENCES AND REQUIREMENTS
  • 2.1 Reference Documents
  • 2.2 Cancelled Documents
  • 2.3 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 BACKGROUND
• 4.0 ACTION
• 5.0 CONCLUSION
• 6.0 CONTACT OFFICE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Advisory Circular (AC) is provided for information and guidance purposes. It may describe an example of an acceptable means, but not the only means of demonstrating compliance with regulations and standards. This AC on its own does not change, create, amend or permit deviations from regulatory requirements nor does it establish minimum standards.

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this AC is to inform the aviation industry that air operators and private operators may now obtain a Canadian authorization by Operations Specification 614 for RNP 4 and Operations Specification 611 for RNP 10. These authorizations will enable Canadian air and private operators to operate within airspace so designated, subject to the applicable requirements of each Operations Specification.

1.2 Applicability

1. This AC applies to Canadian air operators holding an Air Operator Certificate issued under Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and to private operators holding a private operator certificate under subpart 4 of Part VI of the CARs who wish to operate in en route airspace requiring RNP 10 or RNP 4 navigation performance.

2. RNP 10 or RNP 4 certification is mandatory for operations within some RNP airspace.

3. This document is also applicable to all Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) employees, to individuals and organizations when they are exercising privileges granted to them under an External Ministerial Delegation of Authority. This information is also available to the aviation industry at large for information purposes.

1.3 Description of Changes

Not Applicable.

2.0 REFERENCES AND REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Reference Documents

It is intended that the following reference materials be used in conjunction with this document:

1. Part V of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)—Transport Category Aeroplanes;

2. Subpart 604 of the General Operating and Flight Rules (GO&FR)—Private Operator Passenger Transportation;

3. Subpart 702 of the CARs—Aerial Work;

4. Subpart 704 of the CARs—Commuter Operations;

5. Subpart 705 of the CARs—Airline Operations;

6. Standard 624 of the CARs — Private Operator Passenger Transportation;

7. Standard 722 of the Commercial Air Services Standards (CASS)—Aerial Work;

8. Standard 724 of the CASS—Commuter Operations;

9. Standard 725 of the CASS—Airline Operations;

10. Operations Specification 611—Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP 10) Airspace;

11. Operations Specification 614—Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP 4) Airspace;

12. FAA Order 8400.12A, Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP 10) Operational Approval;

13. FAA Order 8400.33, Procedures for Obtaining Authorization for Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP 4) Oceanic and Remote Area Operations;

14. ICAO Doc. 9613, Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Manual, Third Edition, 2008; and

15. ICAO Doc. 7030, Regional Supplementary Procedures.

2.2 Cancelled Documents

Not applicable.

2.3 Definitions and Abbreviations

The following definitions and abbreviations are used in this document:

1. AC means Advisory Circular.

2. RNAV: A method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of station-referenced navigation aids or within the limits of the capability of self contained aids, or a combination of these. Note: Area navigation includes performance-based navigation as well other operations that do not meet the definition of performance based navigation.

3. NAA means National Aviation Authority.

4. Navigation specification: A set of aircraft and flight crew requirements needed to support performance based navigation operations within a defined airspace. There are two kinds of navigation specification:

   1. RNP specification: A navigation specification based on area navigation that includes the requirement for performance monitoring and alerting, designated by the prefix RNP, e.g. RNP 4, RNP APCH.

   2. RNAV specification: A navigation specification based on area navigation that does not include the requirement for performance monitoring and alerting, designated by the prefix RNAV, e.g. RNAV 5, RNAV 1.
      
      Note:
      
      The ICAO Performance Based Navigation Manual (Doc 9613) contains detailed guidance on navigation specifications.

5. Performance Based Navigation (PBN): Area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an Air Traffic Service (ATS) route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace.
   
   Note:
   
   Performance requirements are expressed in navigation specification (RNAV specification or RNP specification) in terms of accuracy, integrity, continuity, availability and functionality needed for the proposed operation in the context of a particular airspace concept.

3.0 BACKGROUND

As part of ongoing efforts by ICAO and the FAA to increase the efficient use of airspace RNP 10 and RNP 4 has been implemented as an acceptable navigation standard in some regions. Since December 1, 2002, an authorization to operate in Pacific RNP 10 Airspace has been available. RNP 4 can be utilized in the Western Atlantic Route System (WATRS) Plus area and planning is taking place for its implementation in the Southern, Central East and Northern Pacific areas. Regional RNP 4 and RNP 10 procedural guidance can be found in ICAO Regional Supplementary Procedures (ICAO doc 7030).

4.0 ACTION

1. These authorizations are now being made available to air operators and private operators for the use of aircraft and flight crew certified as being capable of maintaining RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 navigation performance in designated airspace and to operate in other airspace requiring navigation performance equal to or less stringent than RNP 10 or RNP 4, as the case may be.

2. These Operations Specifications will also form the basis upon which a foreign National Aviation Authority (NAA) may authorize a Canadian air operator or private operator to operate in RNP 10 or RNP 4 airspace within their jurisdiction.

3. The requirements for authorization to operate in RNP airspace are listed on each Operations Specifications, and are as follows:

   1. The equipment certification and installation must be in compliance with Part V of the CARs. The installation must:
      
      RNP 10
      
      (i) include at least two independent long range navigation systems capable of meeting a position accuracy of +/- 10 NM or better for 95% of the flight time in RNP 10 airspace;
      
      (ii) meet the aircraft eligibility and aircraft requirements sections of the ICAO PBN Manual Vol II, Part B, Chapter 1 Implementing RNAV 10 (designated and authorized as RNP 10); and
      
      (iii) meet the technical requirements of the navigation element of FAA Order 8400.12A, Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP 10) Operational Approval.
      
      RNP 4
      
      (i) include at least two independent long range navigation systems capable of meeting a position accuracy of +/- 4 NM or better for 95% of the flight time in RNP 4 airspace;
      
      (ii) meet the aircraft eligibility and aircraft requirements sections of the ICAO PBN Manual Vol II, Part C, Chapter 1 Implementing RNP 4; and
      
      (iii) meet the technical requirements of the navigation element of FAA Order 8400.33, Procedures for Obtaining Authorization for Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP 4) Oceanic and Remote Area Operations.

   2. New navigation systems may demonstrate compliance with RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 operations as part of the airworthiness approval of the aircraft. For existing systems, the aircraft manufacturer should determine compliance with RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 capability as listed in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), AFM supplement or additional airworthiness documentation. Air operators or private operators claiming additional navigation system performance beyond the original airworthiness approval must obtain confirmation from the manufacturer documenting that the aircraft meets RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 performance.

   3. The air operator or private operator must establish procedures in its Company Operations Manual (COM) for the guidance of its personnel related to the conduct of RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 operations. These procedures must include at least a system description and any limitations; operational aspects, including normal, abnormal and emergency operations; and any effects or dependences on other aircraft systems.

   4. The air operator or private operator must provide training to operational control personnel, maintenance personnel when applicable and to each flight crew member involved with RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 operations that addresses at least the following:

      1. the operation of the long range area navigation systems in accordance with the training requirements set out in the Subsection of the Commercial Air Services Standards or the Private Operator Passenger Transportation Standards, as the case may be, referred to in section 5 of its Operations Specification, and;

      2. For a flight crew member or operational control personnel to qualify for operations in RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 airspace, an air operator or private operator must have initial and recurrent approved training programs that ensure that each individual is proficient in the following areas:

         1. flight planning;

         2. navigation performance requirements;

         3. en route procedures; and

         4. contingency procedures.

4. Air operators and private operators who require one of these Operations Specifications should review the referenced documents and then contact their Principal Operations Inspector (POI) for more information.

5.0 CONCLUSION

1. The POI, with the assistance of the principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or Regional Airworthiness office, should confirm that each of the air operators and private operators RNP systems and installations comply with the above references as appropriate for RNP 10 or RNP 4 operations. New aircraft may have a note or statement in the AFM that indicates the navigation equipment meets RNP 10 and/or RNP 4 standards.

2. Updates to the air operator COM and training program should be done in accordance with the requirements of Sections 705.124, 705.135, 704.115, 704.121 of the CARs and Sections 725.135, 725.124, 724.115, 724.121 of the CASS, as applicable.

3. Updates to the private operator COM and training program should be done in accordance with the requirements of Sections 604.26, 604.27 and Standards 624.26 , 624.27 of the CARs.

6.0 CONTACT OFFICE

For more information please contact:
Commercial Flight Standards Division (AARTF)

Phone: 613-993-6975
Facsimile: 613-954-1602
E-mail: CAIRS_NCR@tc.gc.ca

Suggestions for amendment to this document are invited and should be submitted via the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Issues Reporting System (CAIRS) at the following Internet address:

https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/civil-aviation/civil-aviation-issues-reporting-system-cairs

or by e-mail at: CAIRS_NCR@tc.gc.ca

Don Sherritt
Director, Standards
Civil Aviation