Germany’s Frankfurt Airport has begun operating a new generation satellite-based landing system, the NORMARC 8100 CAT III Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS), designed to increase runway capacity under low visibility conditions.
(NORMARC 8100 GBAS. Photo, courtesy of Indra Navia)
The NORMARC system, developed by Indra Navia, was implemented under the European SESAR program. GBAS augments signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), making them accurate enough to use during airport approaches and landings, the company said.
Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), in cooperation with EUROCONTROL, is beginning system validation testing with the Frankfurt GBAS.
“Ever since Norway’s short-runway airports started using our pioneering SCAT-I satellite landing system for commercial traffic in 2007, we have been looking forward to the day when airports in the rest of Europe – and the world – can enjoy the benefits of certified satellite landing systems based on open and global standards. DFS has been particularly supportive in driving this project forward, and the continued joint efforts of the project team pave the way for a new approach to CATII/III precision landing and guidance,” said Eldar Hauge, CEO of Indra Navia.