The agreement will enable the publication of EGNOS-based approach procedures in this Norwegian airport

ESSP, as EGNOS Service Provider and the Notodden airport have recently signed an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA), as a key step for the implementation of EGNOS-based approach procedures in Norway.

Notodden Airport, is a regional airport in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The airport is mostly used for general aviation and pilot flight training. Regular passenger traffic is planned to re-commence in late 2022. In connection with the airport is a water aerodrome, which uses the lake of Heddalsvatnet for taking-off and landing.

The agreement was signed on October 2021, and it 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 Airport / Navigation entity willing to use this service.

As you know, EGNOS is the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. It provides an augmentation signal to the Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS). The EGNOS service enables RNP APCH (Required Navigation Performance Approach) down to a minimum as low as 200 feet (~60 meters).

This agreement is framed into the EU Space Programme actions to get the highest security rates and accuracy systems in aviation through Satellite Based Navigation Protocol.

The signature of the EWA agreement concludes an important step in international cooperation to employ EGNOS precision signals and services in Norway for a cost efficient navigation solution for the benefit of Notodden airport customers using precision air navigation in Norway.