Landing systems

The International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) strategy for future precision approach and landing systems is based upon (a) the retention of ILS where practical, (b) the implementation of MLS where ILS cannot be sustained and where it is economically viable and required to meet operational performance, and (c) consideration of the future development of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Currently the ICAO All Weather Operations Panel and GNSS Panel are defining the requirements for future systems and identifying their capabilities. In parallel, work by ARINC is defining the equipment form fit and function specifications for precision approach and landing systems airborne equipment and RTCA are generating the minimum operational performance specifications for GPS equipment. Although there is a strong lobby for the use of GPS supplemented by regional and local augmentations, there are many issues concerning integrity and continuity which must be resolved.