Methodology for Equivalent Level of Safety Certification of US Army Rotorcraft in Required Navigational Performance in Area Navigation Controlled Airspace

A methodology to demonstrate an Equivalent Level of Safety (ELS) for U.S. Army Rotorcraft operation in Required Navigational Performance in Area Navigation (RNP RNAV) Airspace; the results of the evaluation using this methodology; and suggestions for methodology improvement in future applications. The methodology for ELS certification is addressed in terms of Accuracy, Integrity, Continuity, Flight Management Functionality, and Requirements Traceability. The first three are addressed analytically as a statistical value for confidence as well as a practical demonstration of performance, the fourth is demonstrated during flight test, and the latter is documentation for detail. The test article was the U.S. Army CH-47F Cargo Helicopter. U. S. Army Rotorcraft receiving an ELS Certification to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines per this methodology can be approved to operate in RNP RNAV civil controlled airspace.