Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), a German air navigation service provider, plans to implement satellite-based precision landing in 2014. DFS and the Frankfurt airport operator, Fraport, recently signed a cooperation agreement for the installation of a Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS). The Frankfurt hub will become the first major international European airport with GBAS.

 

The technology has many advantages over the procedures approach currently used. With the aid of a GBAS ground station, the approaching aircraft can determine its position precisely and safely conduct its final approach. The satellite signals are received by the GBAS station which compares them with its own position and transmits a corrected signal to the landing aircraft.