Operation on U.S. Area Navigation Routes, Standard Arrival Routes and Departure Procedures
Updated August 31, 2005
Background: The FAA is implementing RNAV routes and procedures in accordance
with AC 90-100 on Sept 1, 2005. This implementation is the culmination of several years of
cooperation with industry to address issues with the initial implementation RNAV procedures
and to ensure safe and successful implementation of new procedures. The Aeronautical Information
Manual (AIM) was updated on August 4, 2005, to reflect this new implementation (ref. paragraphs
1-2-1, 5-1-8, 5-2-6, 5-4-1, and 5-5-16). Comprehensive guidance is provided in AC 90-100.
The AC, along with additional RNAV supporting information, will be available no later than
September 1st at the website
of the FAA Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Operations Branch (AFS-410).
Operators should contact their OEMs in the interim time to determine equipment compatibility.
Applicability of AC 90-100: AC 90-100 provides guidance for operation on
U.S. Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes and T-routes), Departure Procedures (Obstacle
Departure Procedures and Standard Instrument Departures), and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes
(STARs). It does not apply to overwater RNAV routes (ref 14 CFR 91.511, including the Q-routes
in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic routes) or Alaska VOR/DME RNAV routes ("JxxxR").
It does not apply to off-route RNAV operations.
List of Compliant Equipment: In developing AC 90-100, industry and the FAA
defined the minimum criteria for RNAV systems to operate on the RNAV routes and procedures.
Manufacturers are evaluating their systems against these criteria, and a current list of compliant
equipment can be found at the AFS-410 website. Pilots and operators can confirm the capability
of their equipment on that list, or obtain information from the relevant manufacturer. Several
manufacturers have identified that their RNAV systems do not comply with the criteria for
DME/DME-based RNAV, and operations with those systems should be based on GPS.
GPS RAIM Prediction: As described in paragraph 8(a)(5) of AC 90-100, operators
should verify RAIM availability prior to using GPS as the basis of operation on RNAV routes
and procedures when any GPS satellites are out of service (e.g., “GPS PRN-14 OTS…”).
However, a number of operators and GPS manufacturers have notified us that they do not have
a means to verify RAIM along the route or procedure. The FAA is developing a RAIM prediction
service for general use. Until this capability is operational, a RAIM prediction does not
need to be done for any RNAV route conducted where ATC provides radar monitoring or RNAV departure/arrival
procedure which has an associated "RADAR REQUIRED" note charted. Operators may check
RAIM availability for RNAV departure/arrival procedures at any given airport by checking approach
RAIM for that location. This information is available upon request from a U.S. Flight Service
Station (but not DUATS).
Flight Plan Suffixes: A new aircraft suffix table used for identifying equipment
capability when filing an IFR flight plan, effective September 1, 2005, has been published
in the AIM in change 3, dated August 4, 2005. (See Table 5-1-2.) The new suffixes allow controllers
to identify aircraft capable of operating on RNAV routes and procedures. Previous /E and /F
requirements for flight director, vertical navigation and speed/altitude constraints no longer
apply. /G and /L suffixes apply to aircraft with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
en route and terminal capability, including GPS or WAAS navigation equipment, as well as FMS
with GPS or WAAS sensors.
Operational Authorization: Operators with operations specifications are
expected to obtain specific authorization to fly RNAV routes and procedures (i.e, B34/B50).
Part 91 operators do not require a letter of authorization. However, practical test standards
will be modified to include RNAV operation under AC 90-100.
The new suffix table, effective September 1, 2005 can be found at http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/aim/Chap5/aim0501.html#5-1-8.
Important information on Type A and B procedures can be found in the AIM section, 5-2-6-f
at http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/aim/Chap5/aim0502.html#5-2-6.
FAA has released the following Charting Notice: http://www.faa.gov/ats/ato/150_docs/Charting_Notice_RNAV_SIDS_STARS.pdf.
Also see Jeppesen Bulletin JEP 05-02.
For more information, contact NBAA's Bob Lamond at rlamond@nbaa.org.
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