eATM Portal

NAV12 — ATS IFR Routes for Rotorcraft Operations

The implementation objective is aligned to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1048 of 18 July 2018 laying down requirements for PBN.

The objective describes the implementation of:

a) ATS routes for rotorcraft operations,
b) SID and STAR for rotorcraft to instrument RWYs,
c) Low-level IFR routes (LLR) for rotorcraft.

PBN Regulation (EU) 2018/1048 of 18 July 2018, does not impose obligatory establishment of ATS routes, SID or STAR for rotorcraft operations. However, the regulation does prescribe obligatory set of specifications to be complied with, where a stakeholder had decided to establish ATS routes, SID or STAR for rotorcraft operations.

Where ANSPs have established ATS routes, SID or STAR for rotorcraft operations, they shall implement those routes in accordance with the requirements of the RNP 0.3, or RNP 1, or RNAV 1 specifications. In that case, they shall be entitled to decide which of those three requirements (specifications) they comply with.

This Objective supports implementation of SESAR Solution #113 “Low-level IFR routes (LLR) for rotorcraft” which improves connectivity between the airports included into the TMA airspace and also introduces the use of "Standard PinS - Point In Space" procedures concept. The PinS procedures consist in flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) to/from a Point-In-Space in the proximity of the landing/departure site using very high accuracy (RNP0.3 or better).

The segment joining the 'PinS" and the landing/departure site (FATO - Final Approach & Take-Off areas) is flown visually. The point-in-space procedures allow an easier way to manage both traffic flows - fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft - at medium and large airports, simultaneously and in a non-interfering way (SNI operations). If this objective is implemented where NAV03.2 is also applied, it should be part of the airspace concept developed in SLoA NAV03.2-ASP01.

NOTE: System improvements for controller support tools which may be required are covered by other Implementation Objectives like ATC12.1 (MTCD, conflict resolution support info and MONA), ATC02.9 (STCA) and ATC02.8 (APW).

NOTE FOR MILITARY AUTHORITIES: It is the responsibility of each military authority to review this implementation Objective IN ITS ENTIRETY and address each of the SLoAs that the military authority considers RELEVANT for itself. This has to be done on top and above of the review of "MIL" SLoAs which identify actions EXCLUSIVE to military authorities.

Edition
2022
Stakeholders
Regulator / Air Navigation Service Provider / Airspace Users
Type
SES
Scope
ECAC+
Status
Active

Context

Related Elements

Applicability Area(s) and Timescales

Applicability Area 1:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovak Republic, Spain, Switzerland
(EU SES States)
Applicability Area 2:
Albania, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia
(Other ECAC+ States not listed in Applicability Area 1)
Timescales From By Applicable to
Entry in force of regulation 01-08-2018 -
Rotorcraft RNP0.3, RNP1 or RNAV1 ATS routes above FL150, where established. - 03-12-2020 Applicability Area 1
Rotorcraft RNP0.3, RNP1 or RNAV1 ATS routes below FL150, where established. - 25-01-2024 Applicability Area 1
One rotorcraft RNP0.3, RNP01 or RNAV1 SID and STAR per instrument RWY, where established. - 25-01-2024 Applicability Area 1
All rotorcraft RNP0.3, RNP01 or RNAV1 SIDs and STARs per instrument RWY, where established. - 06-06-2030 Applicability Area 1
IFR ATS route above/below FL150, SID and STAR for Rotorcraft Operations, where established - 06-06-2030 Applicability Area 2

Links to SESAR Solutions

Links to PCP ATM Sub-Functionalities

ICAO Block Modules

References

Applicable legislation
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1048 of 18 July 2018 laying down airspace usage requirements and operating procedures concerning performance-based navigation
Applicable ICAO Annexes and other references
None
Deployment Programme 2022
-
Operating Environments
Terminal Airspace
En-Route

Expected Performance Benefits

Safety
Improved through airspace de-confliction of low altitude airways. It can provide more visibility into planning of those sectors (up-stream sectors) where the ATCO is arranging the arrivals sequence.
Capacity
The point-in-space procedures have the potential to enable an increasing of passenger throughput at medium and large airports, removing IFR rotorcraft from active runways (no low performance/low speed movements into the approach sequence to runway).
Operational efficiency
Improved through:
- Reduced track mileage, resulting in less fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions;
- Enhanced transition from the en-route phase (flying the Low Level IFR routes) to the approach phase (e.g Point In Space IFR rotorcraft procedures) to the final approach and take-off area (FATO) and vice versa;
- More direct routing in dense terminal airspace (obstacle-rich or noise-sensitive terminal environment).
Cost efficiency
-
Environment
Reduced track mileage, resulting in less fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions.
Security
-
  Code Title From By Related Enablers
 
REG01 Verify the transition plan for PBN in ANS provision
  • 03-12-2020
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP01 Implement low-level IFR routes (LLR) for rotorcraft operations
  • 25-01-2024
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP02 Train air traffic controllers procedures supporting low-level IFR routes (LLR) in TMA and other routes for rotorcraft operations
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP03 Develop a local safety assessment for the implementation of low-level IFR routes (LLR) in TMA and other ATS routes for rotorcraft operations
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP04 Implement Rotorcraft ATS routes above FL150
  • 03-12-2020
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP05 Implement Rotorcraft ATS routes below FL150
  • 25-01-2024
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP06 Implement one rotorcraft RNP0.3, RNP01 or RNAV1 SID and STAR per instrument RWY
  • 25-01-2024
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP07 Implement all rotorcraft RNP0.3, RNP01 or RNAV1 SID and STAR per instrument RWY
  • 06-06-2030
 
ASP08 Establish the transition plan for PBN in ANS provision
  • 03-12-2020
  • 06-06-2030
 
USE01 Install appropriate RNP equipment
  • 06-06-2030
 
USE02 Train flight crews in RNP ATS routes
  • 06-06-2030
Code Dates
 
1999 99
2000 00
2001 01
2002 02
2003 03
2004 04
2005 05
2006 06
2007 07
2008 08
2009 09
2010 10
2011 11
2012 12
2013 13
2014 14
2015 15
2016 16
2017 17
2018 18
2019 19
2020 20
2021 21
2022 22
2023 23
2024 24
2025 25
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NAV12
 
20180801_20201203_20240125_20240125_20300606_20300606
REG01
 
35%
20201203_20300606
ASP01
20240125_20300606
ASP02
20300606
ASP03
20300606
ASP04
20201203_20300606
ASP05
20240125_20300606
ASP06
20240125_20300606
ASP07
20300606
ASP08
 
28%
20201203_20300606
USE01
20300606
USE02
20300606

Supporting Material

Title Related SLoAs

EASA - EASA Decision 2018/013/R - AMC & GM to Regulation (EU) 2018/1048 (PBN IR) – Annex II to EASA Decision 2018/013/R 11/2018

https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Annexes%20to%20EDD%202018-013-R.pdf

ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, ASP07, ASP08, REG01

EC - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/373 - (OJ L 62, 8.03.2017, p. 1) - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2017/373 of 1 March 2017 laying down common requirements for providers of air traffic management/air navigation services and other air traffic management network functions and their oversight, repealing Regulation (EC) No 482/2008, Implementing Regulations (EU) No 1034/2011, (EU) No 1035/2011 and (EU) 2016/1377 and amending Regulation (EU) No 677/2011 03/2017

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017R0373&from=EN

ASP03

EUROCONTROL - Airspace Concept Handbook for the Implementation of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) - Edition 4.0 / 04/2021

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/airspace-concept-handbook-implementation-performance-based-navigation-pbn

ASP01, ASP02, ASP03, ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, ASP07, ASP08, REG01

EUROCONTROL - Helicopter low level route operations in controlled and uncontrolled airspace - Edition 1.3 / 10/2019

Url: https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/helicopter-low-level-route-operations-controlled-and-uncontrolled-airspace

ASP03

EUROCONTROL - Helicopter point in space operations in controlled and uncontrolled airspace - Edition 1.4 / 10/2019

https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/helicopter-point-space-operations-controlled-and-uncontrolled-airspace

ASP03

ICAO - Doc 4444 - Air Traffic Management - Edition 16 / 11/2016

https://store.icao.int/

ASP02

ICAO - Doc 7030 - Regional supplementary Procedures - Edition 5 / 07/2011

https://www.icao.int/EURNAT/Pages/EUR-and-NAT-Document.aspx

ASP01, ASP02, ASP03, ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, ASP07, ASP08, REG01

ICAO - Doc 8168-Volume II - Aircraft Operations - Volume II - Construction of Visual and Instrument Flight Procedures - Edition 5 / 11/2011

https://store.icao.int/

ASP01, ASP02, ASP03, ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, ASP07, ASP08, REG01, USE01

ICAO - Doc 9613 - Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Manual - Edition 4 / 03/2013

https://store.icao.int/en/performance-based-navigation-pbn-manual-doc-9613

ASP01, ASP02, ASP03, ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, ASP07, ASP08, REG01, USE01, USE02

ICAO - Doc 9992 - Manual on the Use of Performance-based Navigation (PBN) in Airspace Design - First Edition / 01/2013

http://store1.icao.int/

ASP01, ASP03, ASP04, ASP05, ASP06, ASP07, ASP08, REG01

SJU - SESAR Solution 113: Data Pack for Optimised Low Level IFR routes for rotorcraft

https://www.sesarju.eu/sesar-solutions/optimised-low-level-ifr-routes-rotorcraft

ASP01, ASP04, ASP05, REG01

Consultation & Approval

Working Arrangement in charge
NSG - Navigation Steering Group
Outline description approved in
-
Latest objective review at expert level
12/2018
Commitment Decision Body
Provisional Council (PC)
Objective approved/endorsed in
09/2017
Latest change to objective approved/endorsed in
05/2019