The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has drafted a Future Airspace Strategy (FAS) to overhaul the nation’s aerospace infrastructure, which includes making satellite-based aircraft navigation mandatory in certain areas of controlled airspace, the CAA confirmed.
   The use of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) allows aircraft to use satellite navigation instead of ground-based navigation to fly more accurate routes. The CAA will be consulting on a mandate to implement PBN. CAA CEO Andrew Haines said the FAS document aims to increase airspace capacity, improve flight efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of U.K. aviation.
   “Everyday, we hear discussions about a shortage in capacity for aviation in the U.K., especially in the southeast of England,” Haines said in a statement. “That focuses almost entirely on runways, but there is much that can be improved just by enhancing airspace utilization, and if we don’t get airspace right, we won’t be able to make best use of any new airport capacity. What is more, airspace has a significant impact on the overall efficiency of aviation and also its impact on the environment. For airlines, the airspace system can be a key determinant of fuel burn, punctuality and runway utilization.”
   The FAS includes several elements to a larger overhaul plan, including: allowing aircraft continuous climb-outs on takeoff that get aircraft to their optimum cruising altitude as quickly as possible; providing aircraft with more efficient routings that save time and fuel; better management of arrivals at airports, such as reducing the time aircraft hold before landing.
   “Work on some of the FAS projects is already underway with the objective that U.K. airspace is made fit for purpose out to 2030,” said Haines. “Airlines, airports, air traffic controllers, general and business aviation, the U.K. and Ireland aviation authorities, the DfT and the MoD will now start work on implementing the strategy in the U.K. and tying it into the European Commission’s Single European Sky initiative, which will streamline the way airspace is used throughout the continent.”