YLW planes on fewer paths

Photo: Contributed

Imagine if all those pink flightpaths on the left were reduced down to the few white ones on the right.

That is the plan set in place for Kelowna International Airport this year, one of the first airports in Canada to introduce new satellite-based Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approaches.

According to the airport, the RNP approach promises additional options for aircraft arrivals, improved arrival efficiency, noise reduction and reduced emissions coupled with lower fuel consumption.

“For Kelowna, our message is that it is really a good change,” said Greg Dansereau, Manager of ACC Operations in Vancouver for Nav Canada. “With the new technology, the aircraft are quieter, the routes are more contained, so it is a good news story for Kelowna, I would say.”

This past weekend representatives from Nav Canada, WestJet and YLW were on hand to speak with residents about how the changes might impact them.

Dansereau said residents were invited to speak with his team about how the route would look in relation to their homes. He also had the opportunity to speak with several local pilots who were concerned about it hampering their flying routes.

“We want to involve the community in any changes we are making and talk about the impact of implementing new technology on the people who live in the area,” added Dansereau.

The RNP procedures, according to Nav Canada, give aircraft the ability to navigate safely and efficiently in all weather conditions and in mountainous terrain with limited visibility.

The experts say RNP will be of great benefit at YLW because of the surrounding mountainous terrain that can present challenges, especially during inclement weather. RNP equipment provides navigation capability that allows crews to fly aircraft along a flight path with exceptional precision.

RNP also reduces the need for multiple step-down and non-precision circling approaches, saving time and fuel and reducing noise.

In fact, WestJet developed its own RNP approaches more than a decade ago and has been using them in Kelowna the entire time.

In 2013, WestJet estimates its Kelowna RNP operations saved 310,000 litres of fuel and reduced CO2 emissions by 396,000 cubic metres.

“The airlines want to fly this way because it means fewer greenhouse gas emissions and quieter operations. It is really an environmental effort,” said Dansereau.

By late fall, the new RNP procedures will be in place, enabling other operators to use them as they upgrade aircraft capabilities and technologies.

Once in place, any pilot, commercial or general aviation, who has aircraft performance instrumentation, will be able to use the RNP procedures into YLW. 

For more information on the RNP approach or to send your questions to the airport, click here. 

Photo: Contributed