Curved approaches and airborne spacing for efficient closely spaced parallel runway operations in IMC

In this contribution the existing RPAT concept for simultaneous approaches to closely spaced parallel runways is further elaborated to be implemented in low visibility. Besides RNP capabilities this concept uses as well ASAS spacing capabilities. The basic procedure design aspects and the required airborne functions are described. The airborne spacing will first be initiated by a 4D approach in which the trajectory of the target aircraft is being predicted based on position information provided by ADS-B or TIS-B. The ASPA function itself is then used to adjust the spacing such that after the S-curve the RPAT aircraft is parallel or slightly behind the target aircraft. Further on, results from simulations trails and initial flight trials will be presented. It is foreseen to fully flight test this concept in fall/winter 2010 at Braunschweig airport.