FAA Outlines LOA Process for Foreign GNSS Approaches

The FAA released Notice 8900.318 that explains procedures that FAA inspectors can use to issue Letter of Authorization (LOA) CO52 to Part 91 operators to fly GNSS approaches in certain countries that require the LOA. It outlines the process for inspectors to issue LOA C052.

According to the Notice, “Some foreign nations have requested evidence of training and approval to fly global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based approaches to localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) minimums. This LOA can satisfy that request.”

Development of this update to LOA C052 was a joint effort of the NBAA Access Committee and FAA Flight Standards (AFS 470). The Access Committee explained, “AFS 470 asks that requests for this authorization be limited to those operators with a bona fide need to possess authorization by a particular foreign state regulatory authority to prevent unnecessary workload at the local FSDO level. This will allow local FSDOs to focus their resources on processing more pressing authorizations (e.g. RVSM, RNP 10, RNP 4, CPDLC/datalink, ADS-C).”