Airlines Should See Improved On-Time Performance

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As AVweb reported more than a year ago, RNP has vastly improved accessibility to Palm Springs on the comparatively rare occasions when the weather is down there. Because terrain prevents implementation of a standard ILS, diversions were usually the only option in bad weather. RNP allows Alaska Airlines to land at Palm Springs with minima of 250 feet and three-quarters of a mile. But terrain isn’t the only obstacle that hinders operations and RNP will find a use at airports surrounded by miles of flat expanses. For instance, Chicago Midway is limited by its short runways and proximity to O’Hare. Currently, there are plans for RNP approaches to airports ranging from New York’s JFK to Long Beach, Calif. According to the Journal, pilots and controllers like the system because they know exactly where the plane is going and when it will get there. Delta, JetBlue and Continental are all training for the system now and should have their FAA approval soon.

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