Read all about it: Advisory circular coming on PBN
In the technological era, an aircraft’s navigational capabilities are more important than the boxes it uses to get the job done, provided standards of safety and precision are consistently met. Performance-based navigation, or PBN, is the name of that game, and the FAA is taking public comments through July 9 on a draft advisory circular that spells out which pilots, and what aircraft, can fly PBN procedures.
“Under PBN, the required aircrew and navigation performance requirements are defined in terms of the accuracy, integrity, continuity, and functionality needed for a particular operation in a particular airspace,” the proposed AC says in a PBN overview.
The advisory circular, numbered AC 90-119, would apply to all operators planning to fly by PBN under Parts 91, 91K, 121, 125, 129, and 135. Its guidance addresses PBN operations in all phases of flight, and outlines aircraft eligibility, as well as the pilot training the FAA recommends for obtaining operational approval. The guidance would apply to operations “in the United States, in oceanic and remote continental airspace, and in foreign countries that adopt International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) PBN standards.”
Four current advisory circulars would be canceled, with retained information incorporated in the new document—which in draft form is a 117-page publication.
Before an operator flies a PBN procedure, the aircraft’s eligibility must be confirmed. (Who are you going to call? See Chapter 3.)
So must the pilot’s qualifications be confirmed. The 38 points of knowledge a pilot must possess for PBN ops can be reviewed in section 3.7.3. Bone up on NextGen nuances like flight plan codes, “PBN Boxes” or chart notes about routes and procedures, know whether a waypoint is “flyover” or “flyby” type, and be up on air traffic control phraseology for PBN operations, just to name a few of the necessary ground school or home-study tasks.
AOPA is reviewing draft AC 90-119 and will report on any changes we think the FAA should consider.
If you want to give the AC a look and participate in the public-comment process (by July 9), you can email your comments to the FAA, or send them by mail to Sarah Sansolo 600 Maryland Ave SW Suite 610E Washington, DC 20024.
For a list of draft advisory circulars open for public review and comment visit the FAA’s Flight Standards Service website.
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