19 Performance-based Navigation (PBN)

Designation of RNP and RNAV Specifications

RNAV X RNP X
The expression “X” means the aircraft can follow a pre-defined track (lateral navigation)
with X Nautical Miles (NM) accuracy 95% of the flight time by the population of aircraft
operating within the airspace, route or procedure.

Figure 19.8

Navigation systems are specified in terms of Navigation System Error (NSE), and therefore
hypotheses on the Flight Technical Error (FTE) and Path Definition Error (PDE) contributions to
the Total System Error (TSE) are made to qualify a system for a given navigation specification.

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. PDE is
considered negligible if quality assurance process is applied at the navigation database level and
if correct operating procedures are applied.

Flight Technical Error (FTE): relates to the air crew or autopilot’s ability to follow the defined
19

path or track.
Performance Based Navigation (PBN)

Navigation System Error (NSE): refers to the difference between the aircraft’s estimated
position and actual position.

Because specific performance requirements are defined for each navigation specification, an
aircraft approved for a particular navigation specification is not automatically approved for any
other navigation specification. Similarly, an aircraft approved for an RNP or RNAV specification
having stringent accuracy requirements (e.g. RNP 0.3 specification) is not automatically
approved for a navigation specification having a less stringent accuracy requirement (e.g. RNP
4).

Figure 19.9

16