Press Release
Issued by Cambridge City Airport.
December 1, 2011
Cambridge Airport has today announced that it is one of the first UK airports to introduce the new GPS enabled (APV Baro RNAV Instrument Approach) procedure to supplement its existing SRA/ILS/NDB and modifiable PAPI facilities. The approach has been validated for its principal runways, 23 and 05. Cambridge is now one of the few airports in the UK that can offer the complete spectrum of commercial pilot training capabilities outside of the major London Airports. The airport is regularly used by military aircraft, commercial aircraft up to Boeing 757 or Airbus320 capacity, as well as business and general aviation and the instrument approach system can now be utilised by all aircraft with the relevant certification.
The APV Baro RNAV Instrument approach procedure, known colloquially as a "GPS Approach" is a pilot interpreted navigation aid that provides an extremely accurate airfield approach in all weather conditions. "We are extremely pleased to have had this system validated," says Archie Garden, Cambridge Airport Director. "Safety and Customer Service is at the forefront of everything we do Cambridge Airport, and this new facility will provide easier access in all weather conditions. We are already recognised as being a real alternative airport for the London region and as the East of England aviation hub. We are constantly seeking to upgrade our services offering to clients and this is just another milestone in our ongoing strategy of infrastructure development."
The implementation of the GPS Approach procedure is an innovative step for Cambridge as the procedure in this type of approach is new to the UK. Archie Garden stated: "We are very grateful for the superb support received from the CAA during the certification process, which was completed in a record time for such a new facility." Initial implementation planning began in 2008 and has taken a total of three years to complete through to November 2011 when the CAA approved the safety case and the final flight check of the procedure which was conducted using a Marshall Executive Aviation Citation Bravo aircraft. This is one of the fastest implementations undertaken in the UK and was only possible due to the extensive in-house knowledge and skills of the Cambridge Airport team.
The system further strengthens the expanding training offering at the airport and coincides with the installation of a B737 simulator from tenants The Pilot Training College. Captain Tony Kember of the College said: "The implementation of this procedure provides PTC with the opportunity to train our students using the very latest equipment and apply the techniques that are required for professional airline pilots flying modern technically advanced aircraft. As PTC develops the Professional Pilot Training College at Cambridge Airport this instrument approach facility will broaden the experience and knowledge of our graduates and further help ensure safety in aviation."
