It doesn’t take much insight to see where instrument flight is headed. Nonetheless, intrepid editors are supposed to prognosticate on such things, so I’ll give a shot at plucking some of this low-hanging fruit.
IFR is Dead – Long Live IFR
It doesnt take much insight to see where instrument flight is headed. Nonetheless, intrepid editors are supposed to prognosticate on such things, so Ill give a shot at plucking some of this low-hanging fruit.It wont be too long-perhaps 10 years, perhaps longer-before terrestrial navaids will all but disappear. Instead, everything will be RNAV-based, from T and Q Routes replacing todays Victor and Jet airways to RNAV approaches. Conventional SIDs and STARs will morph into RNAV procedures. Unfortunately, terrain will still require us to fly circling approaches. However, its entirely possible that those circling approaches will be charted and in the database, making them little more difficult than a charted arc or hold is today.
Key Takeaways:
- Instrument flight is rapidly transitioning to an exclusively RNAV-based system, replacing terrestrial navaids for all aspects including airways, approaches, SIDs, and STARs.
- While a temporary VOR Minimum Operating Network (MON) will exist, the long-term RNAV-based backup will be the Alternate Position, Navigation and Timing (APNT) system, complemented by fully digital and integrated aircraft cockpits.
- These sweeping changes, many of which are already underway, are projected to make IFR flying safer, more efficient, and simpler in the next decade.
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