Avionics Update: FAA planning first LPV approach procedures

The FAA is preparing publication of the first LPV (lateral precision with vertical guidance) approaches, a new type of precision approach procedure designed specifically for WAAS. The hallmarks of LPV are lower landing minimums than Lnav/Vnav (250 ft and three-quarters of a mile visibility) and signals that are compatible only with IFR-approved WAAS receivers. LPV approaches will provide a substantial increase in height accuracy performance over those that use only Lnav, thereby giving the new approaches close to Cat I capability. LPV uses WAAS to improve on Lnav/Vnav, taking advantage of GPS/WAAS precision for the better lateral accuracy. The FAA plans to publish the first handful of LPV approach procedures next September, and then publish about 300 a year after that.