Q about cloud bases

[Midland63]

Sorry if this has already been debated endlessly but I saw this tweet today about operations at Barra (EGPR)

"Aircraft did not land in Barra today because of ... BREXIT!! UK airlines no longer have access to superior EU navigation and satellite guidance. So rather than needing mist free skies at 650feet they now need 830feet."

Without getting into politics please, can any of the pro's confirm if this is true or not and, if it is, what it's all about (in layman's terms)

[DaveReidUK]

Withdrawal of EGNOS for UK users (https://rin.org.uk/news/572850/Withdrawal-of-EGNOS-for-UK-users.htm)

There's also more background elsewhere on PPRuNe - do a forum search for EGNOS.

[deltahotel]

If an instrument approach is based on 'traditional' navaids (ILS, VOR, NDB) then there would be no difference. If the approach is PBN/RNP/RNAV/GPS/GNSS (pick your abbreviation, they're all in use) then it's based on satellite technology. If there is an augmentation system eg EGNOS (WAAS in US) then it is more accurate and you can have a lower approach minima.

https://www.aurora.nats.co.uk/htmlAIP/Publications/2019-04-25-AIRAC/graphics/40521.pdf

This link should show the RNAV approach to Barra RW 25. In the bottom left corner you can see the approach minima in feet - LPV refers to EGNOS augmentation, LNAV without, and there you can see the differences.

[ShyTorque]

The LPV "enhanced" system still exists, and is still received by aircraft systems, but in the UK, pilots are not allowed to take advantage of the lower approach altitudes it allows.

It's a ridiculous situation, similar to folk being able to receive TV stations but not being allowed to watch them live unless a TV licence has been paid for. Unfortunately, with regard to LPV, the individual cannot buy into the system, it's a government responsibility.

[Midland63]

Thank you for the informative replies :ok:

[pax britanica]

A small price to pay for getting our own sovereignty back ,, for more important than these myriad practical useful modern things, tic