Annex J: Operational Airworthiness Clearance Considerations for PBN (Step 8)

1. General

1.1 This annex provides guidance on meeting the PBN-related operational approval requirements identified in the ICAO PBN Manual (reference 3.2.2.c) and the FAA AC 20-138D (reference 3.2.2.a).

2. Rationale and Guidance

2.1 The operational approval of a PBN capability on DND/CAF aircraft will be addressed by the OAA during the Operational Airworthiness Clearance (OAC) of a new aircraft fleet, or the OAC issued for a PBN design change to an in-service fleet. This annex identifies the operational approval requirements defined in ICAO PBN Manual and the FAA AC 20-138D.

2.2 The ICAO PBN Manual (reference 3.2.2.c), Vol 1, Attachment C, “Operational Approval”, identifies the operational requirements that must be addressed during the approval of a PBN capability. PBN operational approval is the responsibility of the regulatory authority of the State of the Operator.

2.3 As described in the PBN Manual, para 3.2, the PBN operational approval assessment must take into account the following:

1. aircraft eligibility and airworthiness compliance (addressed by TAC process);
2. operating procedures for the navigation systems used;
3. flight crew and dispatch personnel initial training;
4. control of navigation database procedures. The fleet Weapons System Managers (WSMs) and their operational units should have documented procedures for the management of navigation databases. These procedures will define the data validation procedures for navigation databases and the installation of new databases into aircraft so that they remain current

2.3.1 Navigation System – Operating Procedures. The ICAO PBN Manual, para 3.4, identifies the following requirements for operating procedures:

1. must be developed to cover both normal and non-normal (contingency) procedures for the systems used in the PBN operation;
2. must be adequately documented in the Operating Manuals and checklists;
3. must address:
   1. preflight planning requirements, including the MEL and, where appropriate, RNP/RAIM prediction;
   2. actions to be taken prior to commencing the PBN operation;
   3. actions to be taken during the PBN operation; and
   4. actions to be taken in the event of a contingency, including the reporting of significant incidents.

NOTE: Navigation system operating procedures receive technical approval as part of the sign-off of certification requirement 1581. Providing the OAA does not make changes, the TA approval is sufficient.

2.3.2 Flight Crew Training. The flight crew and dispatch training program for the PBN operation must cover all the tasks associated with the operation, and provide sufficient background to ensure a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the operation. The operator must have adequate records of course completion for flight crew, flight dispatchers and maintenance personnel.

2.4 Additional OAC Considerations. The following are examples of information arising from the PBN design assessment and approval activities that may need to be considered for inclusion in the flight manual, or other operational support document, during the approval of an OAC:

1. Situations when a manual scale setting is necessary, as shown in the following example from the CC150 flight manual:

“Crews should be aware that each pilot must manually select 1 NM scaling when flying a terminal procedure that begins or ends more than 30 NM from the destination or departure airport.”

2. Operational Mitigations for AFM Limitations, for example:

“RNAV 10 operations with one serviceable GPS are prohibited because the maximum time the INS can continue to support RNAV 10 operations without a GPS input is not known, and has been limited to a conservative period of 2 hours. RNAV operations can be safely undertaken with one serviceable GPS and one INS when the performance of the installed INS is shown to meet the requirements of the navigation specification. Data collected during operational flights in accordance with FAA AC 90-105A (or later revision) can be used to support dispatch with one GPS.”

2.5 Diplomatic Clearance Requests. The following is an example of a PBN assessment statement that was developed for distribution to foreign governments and state agencies to support a diplomatic overflight/landing clearance request for the CC150:

“The Minister of National Defence has determined that the CC150 airplane has the navigation accuracy, integrity and continuity defined by the ICAO PBN Manual for RNP 4, RNP 2, RNP 1 and RNP APCH using the GNSS satellite constellation. The determination was made by persons in the DND airworthiness organization that are qualified and trained to standards similar to those met by persons performing a comparable role for Canada’s Civil Airworthiness Authority, and using the criteria published by the FAA in AC 20‑138D, Change 2. The dual navigation computers and GNSS receivers have received design approvals from both the FAA and EASA.”