FAA to Release GPS-based Simultaneous Close Parallel Approaches at San Francisco

June 7, 2013

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be releasing in the June 27 charting cycle two GPS-based simultaneous close parallel (RNAV (GPS) PRM) approaches to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to minimize capacity restrictions between June 27 and Aug. 22, 2013, when work impacting the localizer and instrument landing systems will take place. This is the first time such RNAV (GPS) PRM approaches have been utilized by the FAA. The new approaches are overlays of the existing simultaneous close parallel localizer (LDA) and instrument landing system (ILS) approaches to runways 28R and 28L, respectively.

Training and Authorization Requirements

During the period of June 27 through Aug. 22, 2013

Operators separately authorized to conduct RNAV (GPS) approaches (LNAV or LNAV/VNAV) and PRM approaches may conduct RNAV (GPS) PRM approaches at SFO. No additional action is needed to be authorized to conduct an RNAV (GPS) PRM approach.

The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) will advertise that simultaneous RNAV (GPS) PRM approaches to runways 28R and 28L are being conducted.

Beginning Aug. 22, 2013

Operators with Management Specification C052 or Operations Specification C052 will need RNAV (GPS) PRM authorization added to their list of authorized approaches in order to conduct to the approach to LNAV/VNAV line of minima. The LNAV only line of minima will no longer be published on the approach plate beginning in the Aug. 22 charting cycle.

FAA has published Notice 8900.216, which amends Management Specification C052 and Operations Specification C052 to add an RNAV (GPS) PRM selectable in table 1 of C052.

Part 91 operators, except part 91, subpart K operators, require no specific authorization provided they are appropriately equipped and meet PRM training requirements outlined in the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual.

Pilots may request an RNAV (GPS) PRM approach when simultaneous ILS PRM and LDA PRM approaches are in progress, but must not conduct the approach unless specifically cleared by air traffic control to do so.

For More Information

Review RNAV (GPS) PRM Approaches at SFO Presentation by John Blair, Flight Standards, Flight Operations Branch, AFS-410 (492 KB, PDF)

For more information, contact FAA’s John Blair at john.blair@faa.gov or (202) 385-4314.