The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched an industry-wide project to identify smaller airports within Britain that could benefit from the development of new instrument approach procedures. All industry sectors from airport managers to air traffic controllers to pilots and commercial operators are encouraged to offer suggestions on potential airport recipients.

One of the primary drivers for the effort is that satellite-based approaches require no ground infrastructure. Some airports may be able to create new approaches only by building on existing ground-based infrastructure, and the CAA intends to study which airports could benefit from replacement of some of those facilities with new GPS approaches.

The CAA recently released recommendations to speed the planning and development of new procedures with the caveat that new approaches cannot in any way compromise aviation safety. The application for new UK approaches opened on October 25 and remains open until December 31.