| Kurt A |
22nd May 2008 12:43 PM |
Qantas to commence trial flights using Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technolo
Quote:
Qantas B737-800 services will commence flight trials into and out of Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Mount Isa Airports utilising Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technology.
Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Chris Manning said the Qantas Group was a pioneer of this technology in the Southern Hemisphere. “Qantas has been operating the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved flight trials into other Australian airports at Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast, Townsville, Hobart, Ayers Rock Uluru and Alice Springs since 2006. We have also been operating flights to Queenstown, New Zealand, since September 2004.
“Required Navigation Performance procedures utilises Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to optimise flight approach and departure tracks, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, enhancing safety and providing access to airports in reduced weather conditions,” Mr Manning said.
Captain Manning said RNP technology provided: more reliable and predictable flight paths; time and fuel savings; shorter route distances; reduced aircraft emissions; and reduced aircraft noise.
“Qantas and AirServices Australia have undertaken extensive environmental assessments in each city to ensure the trials are not detrimental to the environment or to residents in local communities.
“I’d like to reassure residents that while they may see Qantas aircraft taking different flight paths than they are used to seeing, there are no other changes to our services as a result of these trials that will continue into 2010,” Captain Manning said.
Qantas has 34 B737-800 aircraft in the fleet. The airline operates 10 B737-800 services to Broome, 11 services to Kalgoorlie, 20 to Karratha and three to Mount Isa each week.
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