Performance Based Navigation
(PBN)
Article Information
Category: General
Content source: SKYbrary
Content control: SKYbrary
Contents
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1 Description
2 Components of the PBN Concept
3 The PBN Manual
4 PBN Benefits
5 PBN Naming Convention
6 Related Articles
7 Further Reading
Description
PBN aims to ensure global standardisation of RNAV and RNP specifications and
to limit the proliferation of navigation specifications in use world-wide. It is a
new concept based on the use of Area Navigation (RNAV) systems.
Significantly, it is a move from a limited statement of required performance
accuracy to the following:
The ICAO PBN Manual (Doc 9613) definition is:
Area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft
operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in
a designated airspace.
Where:
Airborne performance requirements are expressed in navigation
specifications in terms of accuracy, integrity, continuity and functionality
needed for the proposed operation in the context of a particular airspace
concept. Within the airspace concept, the availability of GNSS Signal-In-
Space (SIS) or that of some other applicable navigation infrastructure has
to be considered in order to enable the navigation application.
PBN is then described through means of RNAV and RNP applications with
respective RNAV and RNP operations.
Components of the PBN Concept
PBN is one of several enablers of an Airspace Concept. The others are
Communications, ATS Surveillance and ATM. The PBN Concept is comprised
of three components: The Navigation Specification, the Navaid Infrastructure
and the Navigation Application.
The Navigation Specification prescribes the performance requirements in terms
of accuracy, integrity, continuity for proposed operations in a particular
Airspace. The Navigation Specification also describes how these performance
requirements are to be achieved i.e., which navigation functionalities are
required to achieve the prescribed performance. Associated with the navigation
specification are requirements related to pilot knowledge and training and
operational approval. A Navigation Specification is either an RNP specification
or an RNAV specification. An RNP specification includes a requirement for on-
board self-contained performance monitoring and alerting while an RNAV
specification does not.
The Navaid Infrastructure relates to ground- or space-based navigation aids
that are called up in each Navigation Specification. The availability of the navaid
infrastructure has to be considered in order to enable the navigation application.
The Navigation Application refers to the application of the Navigation
Specification and Navaid Infrastructure in the context of an airspace concept to
ATS routes and instrument flight procedures.
The Navigation Capability graphic depicts the overall Navigation Capability
and the relationship between the navigation specifications defined within the
ICAO PBN Concept:
Performance Based Navigation Capability Graphic
Note: Precision approach and landing systems such as the Instrument Landing
System (ILS), Microwave Landing System (MLS) and GNSS Landing System
(GLS) form part of the navigation suite, but are not included within the concept
of Performance-based Navigation. They differ from PBN applications in that
they are not based on area navigation techniques
The PBN Manual
The PBN Manual (ICAO Doc 9613) comprises two Volumes. Volume I of the
PBN Manual is made up of two parts:
1. Part A describes the PBN Concept, The Airspace Concept and how the
PBN Concept is used in practice.
2. Part B provides Implementation Guidance for ANSPs in the form of three
processes. Volume II of the PBN Manual is also made up of three parts.
Part A describes on-board performance monitoring and alerting and
Safety Assessments, whilst Parts B and C contain ICAO’s RNAV and
RNP specifications which are to be used by States as a basis for
certification and operational approval.
PBN Benefits
PBN represents a fundamental shift from sensor-based to performance-based
navigation and offers a number of advantages over the sensor-specific method of
developing airspace and obstacle clearance criteria, i.e.:
reduces the need to maintain sensor-specific routes and procedures, and
their associated costs;
avoids the need for developing sensor-specific operations with each new
evolution of navigation systems, which would be cost-prohibitive;
allows for more efficient use of airspace (route placement, fuel efficiency
and noise abatement);
clarifies how RNAV and RNP systems are used; and
facilitates the operational approval process for operators by providing a
limited set of navigation specifications intended for global use.
PBN can potentially enable operational benefits in the areas of safety, flight
efficiency and airspace capacity, as well as improved cost-efficiency and
reduced environmental impact.
PBN Naming Convention
Currently, the PBN approach procedure naming convention is not standardized
throughout the world and is inconsistent with the PBN navigation specifications.
Examples of differing naming conventions used by States include RNAV (GPS)
RWY XX, RNAV (GNSS) RWY XX, RNAV (RNP) RWY XX. The ICAO
Circular 336 provides guidance to assist States and other stakeholders with the
transition from RNAV to RNP approach chart identification. This circular
provides the necessary guidance to States on how to make that transition. From 1
December 2022, only the term RNP will be permitted, e.g. RNP RWY XX or
RNP RWY XX (AR) will be acceptable while RNAV, GPS and GNSS will not
be. During the transition period however, it is possible to have a considerable
variation in the IAP designation policies of different countries.
Related Articles
Precision-Area Navigation (P-RNAV)
Area Navigation Systems
Further Reading
ICAO
ICAO PBN iKIT published in 2015.
ICAO Doc 9613
RNAV to RNP Instrument Approach Chart Depiction, a presentation by
ICAO, February 2016
EUROCONTROL
Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Training Modules - v2.0 (2013)
EUROCONTROL Navigation Domain website
FAA
FAA InFO 16020: Naming of Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP)
