A320 RF
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 645
Likes: 16
From: Canada
As far as I know for a RNAV approach a RF leg after the FAF would make it a RNP AR approach. You would need to be certified as well as your aircraft + company (AR = authorization required). Not sure about RF legs prior to the FAF.
Kathmandu is the best example I could find http://s201.photobucket.com/user/ate...26b9e.jpg.html
Kathmandu is the best example I could find http://s201.photobucket.com/user/ate...26b9e.jpg.html
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Asia
I used to fly the kathmandu RNP AR and thats when i learned about RF legs, but at this new operator I'm finding STARs with an RF REQUIRED note, leading to an RNAV GNSS IAP, but no one seems to know if we can legaly fly it.
Only half a speed-brake
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 136
From: Commuting not home
1. I think yes. Assuming this is just PRNAV/RNAV 1 standard STAR, approved in your OPS spec. RF leg is no different to an DME arc if navigated with onboard NAV. I believe your aircraft is fully capable of doing this, though some other's RNAV boxes may not - hence the note. 
2. No, since your training (reason to ask) and operational oversight (colleagues unaware) had obviously been insufficient.
no offence intended.
2. No, since your training (reason to ask) and operational oversight (colleagues unaware) had obviously been insufficient.
no offence intended.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Q
That info should be on your aircraft Operations Specifications (OpSpecs); I also check it on the "Coded ICAO Flight Plan" part of our Operational Flight Plan; on the "PBN" section, it should say next to a bunch of other stuff, "T1", that means the aircraft is approved for "RNP AR APCH with RF (authorization required)". There are several codes for what kind of PBN operations the aircraft is approved, and that's a quick way to know.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
If you are talking about flying RF Legs associated with terminal procedures e.g. STAR/SID or even RNAV(GNSS) approach, then these documents have the answers:
Aircraft approval is published in the Airplane Flight Manual in LIM-22 under "AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS COMPLIANCE" paragraph.
Individual aircraft capability can be confirmed in FCOM/DSC-22 in the "FLIGHT PLANNING - LATERAL FUNCTIONS section.
RF Leg Training is addressed in FCTM/SI-110 (ICAO recommends “training” for RF Legs).
All of the above was only addressed by Airbus last year due to guidance from ICAO and FAA only recently published.
Many airlines do not publish their AFM for Flight Crew to see, so this needs to be addressed somehow e.g. on a placard or checklist.
RF Leg associated with RNP AR approach is subject to different approvals.
Aircraft approval is published in the Airplane Flight Manual in LIM-22 under "AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS COMPLIANCE" paragraph.
Individual aircraft capability can be confirmed in FCOM/DSC-22 in the "FLIGHT PLANNING - LATERAL FUNCTIONS section.
RF Leg Training is addressed in FCTM/SI-110 (ICAO recommends “training” for RF Legs).
All of the above was only addressed by Airbus last year due to guidance from ICAO and FAA only recently published.
Many airlines do not publish their AFM for Flight Crew to see, so this needs to be addressed somehow e.g. on a placard or checklist.
RF Leg associated with RNP AR approach is subject to different approvals.
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Spain
RF leg
RNAV procedures relay on FMS databases. These databases are coded with path-terminators according to the Arinc 424 standard. There are 23 of them like, CF Course to Fix, IF Initial Fix,CF Course to Fix or RF Constant Radius Arc Leg.
Not all of these path terminators are required to construct a RNAV procedure,that is, a PBN specification, and not all of these PBN specifications require the same path-terminators.RNP AR APCH and Advanced RNP are the only specifications where RF is compulsory but the rest of them like RNAV 1 or RNP 1 (used for SIDs and STARS) normally don't use it.
RF permits to fly an arc very accurately, normally based on a database fix, opposite to the "traditional arcs" where the plane just flies from one fix to the next one, not following always the same track.
The RF leg is designed to be used for terminal procedures.
Not all of these path terminators are required to construct a RNAV procedure,that is, a PBN specification, and not all of these PBN specifications require the same path-terminators.RNP AR APCH and Advanced RNP are the only specifications where RF is compulsory but the rest of them like RNAV 1 or RNP 1 (used for SIDs and STARS) normally don't use it.
RF permits to fly an arc very accurately, normally based on a database fix, opposite to the "traditional arcs" where the plane just flies from one fix to the next one, not following always the same track.
The RF leg is designed to be used for terminal procedures.
