Approach Procedures Update – New GPS Offset Approach Published!

(May, 2005)

	Attention Pilots. Please use the following arrival procedure whenever possible -- for noise abatement purposes.
	Click here for the RNAV-GPS 20L Approach Plate. (Note: link is for informational  purposes and may not be the most up-to-date chart.)

The Remote Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument approach to Runway 20L was officially published in the May 12, 2005, edition of the U.S. Flight Information Terminal Procedures manual.  This new satellite-based approach generally establishes a final approach course down the Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (PIB) – MARTA – CSX railroad tracks transportation corridor.

An instrument approach is an approach to the Airport conducted under weather conditions in which the pilot is navigating to land the aircraft at the airport without reference to visual features on the ground.  As the name implies, it is an approach to the airport with a pilot using onboard aircraft control & navigational instruments only.  Instrument approaches rely on navigation facilities located on the ground at the Airport, the Global Positioning System (GPS) that is satellite or space-based, or a combination of the two.

The FAA has designed and approved this satellite-based “15º offset approach” to the standard Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach.  The ILS is an airport/ground based precision approach system, while the 15º offset approach is GPS or space-based.  The ILS is used repetitively during inclement weather conditions.  When the weather is not good, virtually all the traffic comes down this same approach path.

The implementation of the 15º offset will bring aircraft into the airport from the northeast down Highway 141 / Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (PIB).  This will help to concentrate the noise of arriving aircraft over what we call the highly industrialized PIB Corridor.

Now that the approach is officially published, airport staff will work closely with the FAA to more clearly establish defined expectations on when this offset approach will be used compared to the ILS.  First, it is obviously weather dependent.  In the worst weather conditions, the standard ILS offers the lowest approach minimums.  Second, the aircraft must be equipped with GPS receiver equipment.  However, other than these two discriminators, the community and airport staff wants this offset approach used to the maximum extent possible.

The possible future implementation of any approach procedure compliments work being done on Departure Procedures (DP’s) and could reduce and/or standardize aircraft noise impacts from approaching aircraft in a manner similar to that used in the development and implementation of formal DP’s.

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