Originally Posted by
Torquetalk
Only 1 aircraft means a high probability of no service due to any number of tech issues. Good case for having a spare for a time critical service,
BO105 and ILS are not the future. Aircraft with AFCS & IFR capability and RNAV are.
RNAV could open up the flyability window hugely in the coming years, pushing below CAT 1 minima, as the precision and reliability of systems is accepted. Approval of RNAV hospital approaches and approaches/departures to safe pick-up points for remote areas are all thinkable. So much better than buggering about VFR in when the weather is marginal.
It is a shame then that the UK have withdrawn from EGNOS with the result that sub-250ft minima will be impossible (ie no LPV); we will only get the free “Open Service” from EGNOS in the future so LNAV and LNAV/LNAV will be the best we can look forward to for some time.
Until we send up our own SBAS satellite which seems to be the farcical solution being proposed by government.