NZ to upgrade ATR avionics to RNP specs

[MarkR]

Wouldn't be surprised to see VARA follow :

The most significant of these moves is the airline’s decision to equip its ATR 72-600s to operate with a high level of required navigation performance–authorization required (RNP-AR). It is set to become the first carrier to use RNP-AR with ATR aircraft at an accuracy of 0.3/0.3, which means flying within 0.3 nautical miles of its navigation track on approach, and the same for a missed approach or go-around.

http://m.atwonline.com/avionics/air-new-zealand-upgrades-atr-avionics

[Max C]

Why would VARA spend considerable $$$ upgrading when they fly in vastly different environments?

Not many places that VARA fly into would benefit from the lower landing minima.

Same reason QLink hasn't spent the money. The small decrease in delays/diversions doesn't warrant the expenditure.

If the Q400 goes into NZ, that would be a different story...

[MarkR]

Why would VARA spend considerable $$$ upgrading when they fly in vastly different environments?

Not many places that VARA fly into would benefit from the lower landing ..

Plenty of places would benefit from lower landing minima that VARA fly to, Canberra being the obvious main one but Moranbah, Mackay and Rockhampton come to mind. Both camps are placing an emphasis on timeliness of their arrivals and departures to attract Biz, and the regionals have been hurting mainline in this area for a long time simply because many of their destinations have non precision approach options.

Same reason QLink hasn't spent the money. The small decrease in delays/diversions doesn't warrant the expenditure...

I think you will find that's very much a WIP for the Q400s, with ten of the Q400s being upgraded to UNS‐1Ew spec which has RNAV cert and FAA AC 20‐‐‐138A approvals, work to be completed on the ten by Q4 2016. Depending on the success of this then the 300s and 200s may also follow.

QF link have 41 ports, of which 28 don't have a precision approach capability and 11 have above average weather/diversion rates.

Weather aside there are also significant fuel savings through the use of RNP like UPRs at capital airports that come with the upgrade.

[Max C]

30 of the Q400's already have UNE1Ew installed. Once they are all complete then the company may look to work on the approach design. This can be quite an expensive exercise. The document you are referring to (https://www.thalesgroup.com/sites/default/files/asset/document/qantaslink_thales_dash_8_sbas_presentation_24_marc h_2015_public.pdf) was produced prior to the JQNZ Regional implementation and is almost 12 months old.

The only work being done on the 200/300's will be ADS-B and Beta Lockout systems. They aren't expected to be in the Aus-based fleet much past 2017.

[MarkR]

30 of the Q400's already have UNE1Ew installed.

The only work being done on the 200/300's will be ADS-B and Beta Lockout systems. They aren't expected to be in the Aus-based fleet much past 2017.

As I said it was a WIP, this time last year only 21 of the 31 had it, with ten 1Es in the fleet.