News Avionics
Leonardo certifies satellite navigation for Apulia, Italy

ENAV and Leonardo have tested and validated the PBN (Performance Based Navigation) for the Foggia – Tremiti S. Domino Island route in the Apulia region of southern Italy, via an AW169 helicopter.

PBN procedures, carried out through satellite navigation and aircraft avionics, significantly contribute to air space optimization delivering greater flight operation safety. PBN is combined or replaces the more traditional land-based radio navigation systems.

PBN procedures also ensure a reduction in pollution and noise emissions through dedicated routes and lower fuel consumption. Passenger transport, emergency medical service and rescue, disaster relief operations, surveillance and fire-fighting are some applications that can benefit from this technology. Its adoption significantly enhance flight safety, environmental protection, public service flexibility, and effectiveness, and air transport efficiency.

The Foggia – Tremiti S. Domino Island route is the first in a network that is being developed locally to support the helicopter operations of the regional heliport network called Rete Eliportuale Puglia. The successfully validated procedures, using a latest generation Leonardo AW169 helicopter, are the result of a collaboration between Alidaunia and GSA (European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency) in the framework of the PHAR project (PBN for Hems in the Apulia Region).

ENAV, the Italian air navigation service provider, has been at the forefront of PBN procedures design for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft for years. Leonardo is one of the few manufacturers in the world today able to codify and produce PBN navigation databases.