Using RNAV/RNP

In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. The American psyche was troubled by the potential of this technological second place. This planted the seeds of one of Americas greatest military and technological innovations-GPS.

jmiller

Friday, September 15, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Originating from a Cold War innovation, GPS forms the backbone of modern aviation's Performance Based Navigation (PBN), enabling precise Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigational Performance (RNP) operations.
GPS navigators ensure "truth-telling" integrity through onboard monitoring systems like RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring) or WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), requiring pilots to diligently check NOTAMs and RAIM availability.
To effectively utilize RNAV/RNP, pilots must adhere to specific operational procedures, including correct flight plan filing, maintaining current navigation databases, selecting procedures from the database, verifying routes, and using required equipment like flight directors for SIDs/STARs.

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In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. The American psyche was troubled by the potential of this technological second place. This planted the seeds of one of America’s greatest military and technological innovations—GPS.

As Sputnik whirled around the planet, two American physicists realized they could use the Doppler Effect to determine its position. This observation led to the first satellite navigation system, successfully tested in 1960.