EGNOS Service Provider ESSPand the UK Airport Land’s End (in the very South-West of the Island) had signed an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA) which will allow the publication of LPV (EGNOS-based) approaches at this airport.

The agreement was sealed last November 2014 by Thierry Racaud, ESSP CEO, and Robert Goldsmith, the Airport’s CEO.

 

The signature of an EGNOS Working Agreement establishes the operational and legal framework to use the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service as navigation aid between the EGNOS Service Provider – ESSP- and the Air Navigation Services Provider signing the agreement.

As explained by Thierry Racaud, ESSP CEO “the signature of an EWA is the first step for the implementation of EGNOS- based approach procedures within an Airport. We are glad to cooperate in increasing safety and accessibility to Land’s End Airport”.

 

Land's End Airport intends to make full use of EGNOS and implement an LPV approach to its four main runways. That is why they have applied for grant to help the publication process to the European GNSS Agency (GSA). Target date for starting to use them is end of 2015. Prime users include the commercial airline, ‘Isles of Scilly Skybus Ltd’ and Trinity House Helicopters. Based public transport airline “Isles of Scilly Skybus” requires procedures to increase reliability for its lifeline services to the Isles of Scilly, which currently is achieved with no instrumental approach. Also will benefit based Trinity House helicopter operation (Safety of Life Operation looking after maritime aids around Cornwall – lighthouses, lightships, buoys, etc.). The LPV approach will provide a more reliable service to these users.

Land’s End Airport Manager, Chris Pearson, commented: “we are very excited to sign our EWA agreement – a major step towards implementing an EGNOS GPS Instrument Approach at Land’s End. We continue to work closely with the UK CAA as we progress with the implementation process – we hope towards the end of 2015 our customers and passengers will benefit from the improved reliability – particularly in poor weather – that this type of approach brings.”