Several elements of the Next Generation Air Transportation System depend on GPS-based area navigation (RNAV) and required navigation performance (RNP). RNP is essentially RNAV with onboard performance and alerting capability. The ability of the aircraft's own navigation system to monitor its navigation performance and to inform the crew if the required performance is not being met is a defining capability of RNP operations. The technology that assesses the integrity of GPS signals within a GPS receiver is called receiver autonomous integrity monitoring, or RAIM.
Englewood, Colorado-based Jeppesen (Booth No. 3004) is introducing here at NBAA a new product that improves upon the company's current RAIM prediction technology, which provides predictions of GPS satellite availability while assessing the integrity and accuracy of GPS-based navigation signals. Called the Jeppesen FlitePlan RNP Predictor, the RAIM prediction product was developed jointly by Jeppesen and its technical-support partner, DW International (DWI), a consultant on air navigation, civil air communications and air traffic management. Southwest Airlines is the first civil aviation customer for the product, which is also designed for use by general aviation operators.
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