Kent, Wash. USA -- GOL Transportes Aereos, a leading Brazilian airline, has selected GE Aviation's PBN Services to assist them in obtaining regulatory authorization to fly Required Navigation Performance (RNP) flight procedures in Brazil. Once approved, the airline will be allowed to fly RNP paths in its fleet of Boeing 737s, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while increasing airspace capacity.
Brazil's air traffic is expected to double, from four million passengers per month to eight million by 2014, according to a 2009 KPMG estimate, UK trade commission report. The country is hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, which could place major challenges on Brazil's capacity-limited air traffic management system.
"GOL is a forward-looking aviation leader that recognizes the importance of RNP in the fast-growing Brazilian aviation sector," said Steve Forte, general manager of GE Aviation's PBN Services. "Using RNP, GOL will be able to grow its operations quickly and safely to meet market demand, while reducing emissions and fuel consumption."
RNP allows aircraft to fly precisely-defined trajectories without relying on ground-based radio-navigation signals. This precision allows pilots to land the aircraft in weather conditions that would otherwise require them to hold, divert to another airport, or even to cancel the flight before departure. In addition, since the procedures are very precise, they can be designed to shorten the distance an aircraft has to fly en-route, and to reduce noise, fuel burn and exhaust emissions. Because of RNP's precision and reliability, the technology can help air traffic controllers reduce flight delays and alleviate air traffic congestion.
GE will perform a customized assessment of the airline's readiness to adopt RNP, examining GOL's current equipment and operations. Based on the assessment, GE will develop a roadmap for PBN (Performance-based Navigation) implementation. GE will work with ANAC, the Brazilian regulator, and DECEA, the Brazilian air navigation service provider, to support GOL toward obtaining Operations Specification to fly RNP AR in Brazil. Upon approval, GOL will be the first Brazilian airline to gain such RNP AR operational approval in a Boeing 737.
"GOL selected GE for this project because of its successful track record of developing and deploying PBN programs throughout the world," said Viggo Thisted, GOL's new technologies project manager. "We look forward to working with GE to develop our PBN plan in Brazil."
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. GE Aviation Systems LLC, GE Aviation Systems Ltd, and Naverus, Inc. are subsidiaries of GE.
GE Aviation develops and implements technologies that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to airlines, airports and the communities they serve. GE's PBN Services is a world leader in the design and deployment of Performance-based Navigation and is working with aircraft operators and air traffic management providers in China, South and Central America, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Europe to implement PBN solutions. GE's RNP Services is an ecomagination qualified product.