Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport introduces RNP-AR procedure

An aerial view of Gimhae Airport. [Provided by Gangseo-gu, Busan]
An aerial view of Gimhae Airport. [Provided by Gangseo-gu, Busan]

Gimhae Airport has adopted Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP-AR) procedures, a move expected to significantly improve flight safety at the facility.

RNP-AR is an instrument flight procedure that uses high-precision satellite positioning data and enhanced pilot training. It is designed for airports where mountainous terrain makes straight-in landings difficult and pilots have had to rely on visual flight.

At Gimhae Airport, mountains to the north — including Dotdaesan and Sineosan — have long prevented aircraft from making direct runway approaches, forcing pilots to circle while visually confirming the airport's position. The method places a heavy burden on pilots' visual judgment and has drawn concern over flight safety risks such as go-arounds and diversions, as well as passenger inconvenience.

In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Wednesday it had formed a technical working group with the Air Force and other relevant agencies in September last year to address the airport's geographical constraints and design a new approach procedure in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The procedure was verified in detail through flight simulator evaluations involving airlines and aviation experts, and its safety was ultimately confirmed through flight inspection aircraft.

However, actual operations will be rolled out in stages, subject to each airline's own operational preparations and special approval from aviation authorities. The new procedure is expected to significantly reduce go-arounds, diversions and cancellations caused by weather, as it lowers the minimum meteorological conditions — including visibility — required for landing compared with the existing circling approach.

"The northern approach corridor at Gimhae Airport has long depended on pilots' visual judgment due to the mountainous terrain, but we have now been able to introduce an advanced satellite-based landing procedure," said Jeong Chae-gyo, director general for aviation policy at the ministry. "We will continue to make active use of advanced navigation technology to build a safe sky that the public can use with confidence and convenience."


smh@heraldcorp.com