The agreement will enable the publication of EGNOS-based approach procedures in Belgian aerodromes

ESSP, as EGNOS Service Provider, and Belgium Defense, the national military of Belgium, have signed an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA) on July 2023, as a key step for the implementation of EGNOS-based approach procedures. This agreement establishes the operational and legal framework to use the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service as a navigation aid between the EGNOS Service Provider – ESSP - and the organizations willing to use this service at the aerodromes whose air operations are under their responsibility. The signing of the EWA concludes a step in the international cooperation to employ EGNOS' precision signals and services in Belgium for a cost-effective navigation solution to the benefit of airframes using air navigation in this country.

The benefits of EGNOS-based approach procedures

The EGNOS Working Agreement is framed into the EU Space Program actions to get the highest security rates and accuracy systems in aviation through Satellite Based Navigation Protocol.

The implementation of LPV-200 minima in airfields under Belgium Defense’s remit is, amongst other things driven by the current drawback of the PAR (Precision Approach Radar). As a result, the Belgian Air Force is left with only one Cat I precision approach solution, which is the ILS (Instrument Landing System). By introducing LPV-200 procedures, they aim to provide redundancy for airframes that are SBAS PA certified, which will significantly enhance the overall availability of precision approach procedures for these airframes.

Additionally, the provision of LPV-200 minima will enable Belgium Defense’s air crew to effectively train these types of approaches at Belgian military airfields.

Another crucial benefit of EGNOS is that it allows the user to rapidly produce Cat I approach procedures for NATO reserve airfields, without the need to install any mobile equipment like PAR or ILS. This advantage will facilitate the re-activation of these airfields in all weather conditions for essential training purposes.

The future of LPV in Belgian military airfields

Due to the numerous benefits obtained from the usage of EGNOS, Belgium Defence plans to further develop LPV procedures implementation. First, LPV-200 procedures will be published for the airfield of Beauvechain (EBBE) on 7 Sep 2023. And subsequently, the airfields of Kleine Brogel (EBBL) and Florennes (EBFS) are scheduled to have LPV-200 procedures implemented in 2024.

According to Belgium Defense representatives “the LPV implementation will serve as a vital enabler for our strategic transport aircraft, as well as our future helicopter and training aircraft. These advanced procedures will significantly enhance their training capabilities, thereby improving overall mission success and safety.”