Emirates seminar brings top aviation specialists to Dubai

Over 200 delegates, many representing civil aviation authorities and airports across the world, attended the seminar which sought to increase awareness and implementation of instrument approach procedures that take advantage of 'Required Navigation Performance' (RNP) runway-aligned approaches, using the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system.

When used, the approaches may achieve significant improvements in safety, regularity and payload.

Emirates has been an industry leader in the use of the GPS system which, in association with the UAE' General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Dubai Civil Aviation (DCA), resulted in the introduction of GPS approaches at Dubai International Airport several years ago.

In his opening speech, the President of DCA and Emirates' Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: "In Emirates, we are always looking for better ways to operate our aircraft and to further improve safety and efficiency. RNP approaches are definitely something that interests us, since they will reduce risk, improve efficiency and assist flight punctuality and can have a beneficial environmental effect.

"The day is in sight when suitably equipped aircraft will be able to land, automatically on virtually any runway in the world, using RNP concepts. This is a most exciting prospect and will make significant and positive inroads into the efficiency of our industry."

In a comprehensive keynote Speech, Steve Fulton, Chief Technical Officer Naverus, explained how important the adoption of RNP-based procedures were becoming to further enhance the safety and efficiency of commercial aviation. "There are many locations where the model is being implemented and this seminar has the ability to accelerate the change that is taking place," he said.

Making closing remarks for the conference was Don Bateman, Chief Engineer of Flight Safety Systems at Honeywell, who is acknowledged as the inventor of the Ground Proximity Warning System, installed in civilian aircraft worldwide and responsible for saving many thousands of lives.

Captain Tim Jenkins, Emirates' Vice President Flight Safety, said: "The purpose of holding this seminar was to raise the awareness of key personnel in civil aviation authorities and airports, in the capabilities of navigation systems installed in modern aircraft, such as the types operated by Emirates.

"We assembled a group consisting of some of the best RNP experts in the World and they delivered some excellent presentations, filled with key facts and examples of how these systems can be exploited to further improve safety and operating efficiency, plus reducing environmental impact, such as aircraft noise in local communities adjacent to airports."