The US Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) has demonstrated the required accuracy for Category 3 approach and landings in the latest in a series of flight trials.
The GPS-based LAAS is being developed as a government-industry partnership to replace the existing Cat 1/2/3 instrument landing systems in the USA.
Flights in early November tested a prototype LAAS on a FedEx Boeing MD-10 at the carrier's Memphis hub. Around 40 runway approaches were flown manually and coupled to the autopilot, yielding data on signal accuracy and demonstrating performance at a high traffic density airport.
Meanwhile, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Honeywell Airport Systems have demonstrated Airborne Information for Lateral Spacing and Closely Spaced Parallel Approaches technology at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport. The technology allows simultaneous instrument approaches to closely spaced parallel runways using modified avionics and GPS.
Source: Flight International
