Exo Cruiser: What is a LPV Approach?

Sep 24, 2013

What is a LPV Approach?

LPV

LPV Approach or Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance Approach is a modern instrument approach procedure that uses SBAS with GPS to attain the most precise position available today. A LPV approach can get a pilot down to a 200-250 feet decision altitude, making it possible for an aircraft to land at runways in very low visibility. Without SBAS and GPS capabilities, pilots flying in extremely poor visibility conditions might otherwise have to fly to an alternate airport.

Using LPV you can go automated down to 200-300 ft or about ½ nm from the touch down point.

SBAS

A satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) is a system that supports wide-area or regional augmentation through the use of additional satellite-broadcast messages. Such systems are commonly composed of multiple ground stations, located at accurately-surveyed points. The ground stations take measurements of one or more of the GNSS satellites, the satellite signals, or other environmental factors which may impact the signal received by the users. Using these measurements, information messages are created and sent to one or more satellites for broadcast to the end users.

SBAS is usually automatic in modern GPS receivers and is automatically used if available (also outside aeronautical applications)!

The following Honeywell and Rockwell Collins videos are very informative about LPV.