Instrument number CASA 577/09
I, GREGORY JAMES HOOD, Executive Manager, CASA Operations Division, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 179A of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988).
[Signed Greg Hood] 
Greg Hood
Executive Manager
CASA Operations Division
22 December 2009
Instructions — RNAV (GNSS) approaches by Qantas B747-400 aircraft
1           Duration
                This instrument:
(a)     commences on the day after it is registered; and
(b)     stops having effect at the end of 31 December 2011.
2           Application
                This instrument applies to the conduct of RNAV (GNSS) approaches by Qantas Airways Limited, Aviation Reference Number 216147, on the Boeing 747-400 type aircraft with an RNP-capable RNAV system.
3           Instructions
                I issue the instructions in Schedule 1.
4           Definitions
                In this instrument:
AFM means the aircraft flight manual.
approved navigation database means a navigation database on a medium approved by the manufacturer of the aircraft as suitable for use with the aircraft.
FAF means final approach fix.
FCOM means flight crew operations manual.
FMS means the aircraft’s flight management system.
GNSS means the Global Navigation Satellite System, a satellite navigation system used by a pilot on board an aircraft to determine position from satellite data.
GPS means the United States Government satellite navigation system known as the Global Positioning System.
LSALT means lowest safe altitude.
MSA means minimum safe altitude.
LNAV has the same meaning as in the AFM.
method of control means autopilot or flight director.
operator means Qantas Airways Limited.
RNAV (GNSS) approach means an area navigation instrument approach procedure.
RNP means the required navigation performance as displayed to the pilot in command by the FMS.
RNP-capable RNAV system means an area navigation system, fitted to an aircraft, for which the AFM states that it is capable of meeting RNP 0.3 requirements.
VNAV path means a vertical navigation path.
XTK error means the cross-track difference between the indicated position of the aircraft and the planned position, as displayed to the pilot in command by the FMS.
Schedule 1             Instructions
1           Use of RNP capability for RNAV (GNSS) approaches
                The flight crew of an aircraft operating under the I.F.R. may use an RNP-capable RNAV system in accordance with these instructions as a non-precision approach I.F.R. navigation aid for a published RNAV (GNSS) approach procedure, including a related missed approach procedure.
2           Requirements
     (1)      The AFM must contain a statement that the aircraft is capable of meeting the requirements for RNP 0.3.
     (2)      The aircraft must be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
     (3)      RNAV (GNSS) must not be used to satisfy any of the requirements for alternate aerodrome planning.
     (4)      RNAV (GNSS) must not be used as a navigation reference for flight below the LSALT or MSA, except in accordance with a published RNAV (GNSS) procedure.
     (5)      The operator must maintain and validate the approved navigation database for the FMS in accordance with the manufacturer’s procedures.
3           Procedures
     (1)      Before commencing an RNAV (GNSS) approach, the flight crew must ensure that:
(a)     at least 1 of the aircraft’s GPS receivers is operational; and
(b)     the RNAV (GNSS) approach is loaded from the current approved navigation database; and
(c)     RNP 0.3 is displayed or selected in the FMS.
     (2)         At all times during the approach, the pilot in command must ensure that:
(a)     the approach is flown using a method of control that, in accordance with the AFM, permits RNP 0.3 operations to be conducted; and
(b)     the approach is flown in accordance with the current approved navigation database setting out that approach; and
(c)     at least 1 pilot monitors the XTK error; and
(d)     the approach is flown while engaged in LNAV; and
(e)     the VNAV path must be selected and engaged no later than the final approach fix.
     (3)      The pilot in command must ensure that an RNAV (GNSS) approach is discontinued if:
(a)     the navigation of the aircraft exceeds the manufacturer’s stated limits for the RNP 0.3 capability; or
(b)     an alert is displayed indicating that the navigation system cannot meet the manufacturer’s stated limits for the RNP 0.3 capability; or
(c)     if the monitored XTK error is 0.2 nautical miles or more.
4           VNAV path assessment
     (1)      For a planned approach using a VNAV path, the operator must have assessed the VNAV path as suitable for the approach.
     (2)      The VNAV path must be at or above the path identified in the published chart for the approach.
     (3)      In using the VNAV path, the flight crew must comply with the vertical limitations in the published chart.
     (4)      The flight crew may alter the speed of the aircraft if it does not affect the VNAV path.