European GNSS Agency (GSA) launches a call for proposals to increase EGNOS adoption in civil aviation.
Today’s GNSS penetration in the global aviation market is over 80% (and up to 90% in the instrumental user sub-segment).
The shipments of EGNOS enabled devices are expected to dominate the entire market, including the regional, business and general aviation segments. The penetration of SBAS enabled units in equipped aircraft is expected to increase from some 20% in 2012 to 60% in 2020.
To further enhance this essential EGNOS user segment, the GSA has launched a call for proposals to foster further EGNOS adoption in the European civil aviation sector. The objective is twofold. On the one hand, to grant aims to support projects that enable users to equip and use their aircraft or rotorcraft fleet with GPS/SBAS-enabled avionics. On the other hand, it aims to allow Air Navigation Service Providers and aerodromes/heliports to implement EGNOS-based operations in Europe.
Scope of the Grant
The purpose of the call is to co-fund projects capable of fostering EGNOS operational implementation for regional, business and general aviation and rotorcraft. In addition, commercial operators and OEMs interested in benefiting from EGNOS may also apply.
Specifically, the call aims to:
- Foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS based operations, including approach procedures at different European aerodromes and EGNOS based routes
- Develop and install GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima, including the development of Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Service Bulletins (SB)
- Approve Air Operator Certificates for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with SBAS capabilities
- Develop enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption and preparation for its future capabilities, such as LPV 200
To accomplish this, proposals are expected to address activities in one or more of the following areas:
RNP APCH Procedures to LPV Minima
Projects under this area of activity should focus on the design, development and publication of EGNOS LPV approach procedures at European airports, aiming at publication of the new RNP APCH procedures including LPV minima based on EGNOS in national AIPs.
PinS Procedures to LPV Minima
Proposals should envisage the operational implementation of new PinS procedures, including LPV minima based on EGNOS, by the end of the project.
Aircraft or Rotorcraft Forward Fit
Proposal addressing this area of activity should target the development of SBAS LPV capability in new aircraft models and/or its entry into operation.
Aircraft or Rotorcraft Retrofit
This area of activity focuses on in-service aircraft and rotorcraft not certified to perform LPV approaches, and proposals should target the tasks needed to achieve operational use of the LPV capabilities, including hardware upgrades or acquisition, hardware installation and certification and/or obtaining the specific operational approval from the national authority, when necessary.
Development of Service Bulletin
Proposals addressing this area of activity will target the development of SBs involving SBAS LPV and their commercialization.
Development of Supplemental Type Certificate
This area of activity addresses the development of STCs involving SBAS LPV and their commercialization.
Development of Enablers and Other EGNOS Based Operations
Projects in this area of activity should address the development of enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption and its operational use by civil aviation. Proposals may include, but are not limited to, hardware/software development, processes implementation and related trials. Activities in this area may also include implementation of other EGNOS based operations, beyond RNP approaches and down to LPV minima, including, but not limited, to RNP 0.3 routes, LP approaches of preparation for LPV 200 approaches.
The proposals should demonstrate the need for such enablers by aviation stakeholders and readiness of the proposer to accomplish the proposed tasks within the time of the project.
The Details
Application documents and additional information can be found here.
The deadline for submitting applications is 16:00 CET 31 October.
Applications will be assessed in terms of relevance of the proposal and credibility of the proposed approach, economic and societal impact, and coherence and effectiveness of the work plan.
The total budget of the call is EUR 6 000 000 and maximum EU financing of eligible direct costs is 60 percent. In addition, a flat-rate amount of 7% of the total eligible direct costs of the action is eligible under indirect costs.
Awarding of the grants will happen in December 2014, with each grant agreement having an estimated duration of two years.
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