Abstract
Helicopters play a relevant role in society due to their extraordinary versatility. However, they are particularly vulnerable to adverse weather conditions as the majority of operations are carried out under visual flight rules. This is partly due to the shortage of tailored helicopter instrument flight procedures and routes. The emergence of the performance-based navigation concept supported by the latest satellite navigation technologies has opened up new possibilities for rotorcraft operations in the last few years. This paper presents an extensive overview of the state of the art in the design of performance-based navigation routes for helicopters from two main standpoints: instrument flight procedures and route spacing. Apart from summarizing recent and current major initiatives to implement helicopter low-level routes and flight procedures, this paper provides an outlook on the latest advances and ongoing efforts by the International Civil Aviation Organization in the field of helicopter procedure and route design to ensure flyability, obstacle clearance, strategical separation, and segregation of traffic flows. In addition, several gaps in the current design criteria are identified and suggestions for future research and development are outlined.
Recommended Citation
Gonzaga Lopez, Carlos
(2021)
"Design of Rotorcraft Performance-Based Navigation Routes and Procedures: Current Challenges and Prospects,"
Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering:
Vol. 10:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1217
