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 all-RNAV (Area Navigation) based system, replacing traditional terrestrial navaids for routes, SIDs, STARs, and approaches.
- The FAA plans to maintain a Minimum Operating Network (MON) of key VORs as a temporary backup, to be eventually superseded by an RNAV-based Alternate Position, Navigation and Timing (APNT) system.
- Aircraft cockpits will become fully digital with integrated, modular EFIS systems, where displays can back each other up, rendering traditional round dials obsolete.
- This "sea change" in IFR, largely already underway, is predicted to make instrument flying safer, more efficient, and simpler in the coming decade.
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