Performance -based Navigation (PBN)

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Many aircraft have the capability to execute a holding pattern manoeuvre using their RNAV
system, which can provide flexibility to ATC in designing RNAV operations.

The RNAV system facilitates the holding pattern specification by allowing the definition of
the inbound course to the holding waypoint, turn direction and leg time or distance on the
straight segments, as well as the ability to plan the exit from the hold.

Figure 19.16

Data Processes
All RNAV and RNP applications use aeronautical data to define, inter alia, ground-based
NAVAIDs, runways, gates, waypoints and the route/procedure to be flown.

The safety of the application is contingent upon the accuracy, resolution and integrity of the
data.

Therefore:

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The accuracy of the data depends upon the processes applied during the data origination.

Performance Based Navigation (PBN)

The integrity of the data depends upon the entire aeronautical data chain from the point of
origin to the point of use.

PBN Operations
What pilots need to know about PBN operations is whether the aircraft and flight crew are
qualified to operate in the airspace, on a procedure or along an ATS route.

The flight operations element considers:

The operator’s infrastructure for conducting PBN operations and flight crew operating
procedures, training and competency demonstrations.

The operator’s MEL, OMs, checklists, navigation database validation procedures, etc.

There are 3 main independent lateral errors in the context of on-board performance monitoring
and alerting. Together they account for the Total System Error (TSE).

Path Definition Error (PDE): occurs when the path defined in the RNAV system (database) does
not correspond to the desired path, i.e. the path expected to be flown over the ground .

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