Wingtip Aviation Chief Pilot Finds RNP-AR ‘Magical’

Required Navigation Performance-Authorization Required (RNP-AR) technology has been a game changer for Chief Pilot Jon Cohn and his team at Wingtip Aviation. They often fly into mountainous, congested, weather-challenged airports where traditional ground-based navigation systems are limited.

“We fly into challenging places all over the world,” Cohn said. “RNP-AR lets us fly a precise flight path through terrain and take advantage of special approaches and lower minimums. RNP-AR makes everything safer and simpler – it's really magical."

Cohn’s colleagues also rave about the benefits of RNP-AR. “Feedback from the pilots is 100% positive,” he said. “They can’t understand why this isn't the standard everywhere since it improves safety, reduces pilot workload and is easier on the passenger.” 

Flying with RNP-AR: Safe and Easy

Cohn said flying with RNP-AR reduces pilot workload and is easier on passengers. "The vertical path is less steep and easier to manage," he said. RNP-AR enables a gradual curved approach because the pilot can make a constant-radius turn rather than following a straight-line path. 

“We fly year-round into Aspen and Eagle, Colorado, where the mountains and unpredictable weather conditions can be a definite factor,” Cohn said. “Flying the special RNP-AR “N” Rwy 15 approach at Aspen means we can fly at a constant descent angle, so landings are easier and safer – as safe as if you were just flying straight in.” 

Ground-based navigation systems, such as Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) systems, have limited coverage and are subject to terrain interference and signal degradation. 

RNP uses satellite-based area navigation (RNAV) and onboard navigation performance monitoring to enable aircraft to fly between 3D points in space. This results in improved precision and reliability, especially when flying in challenging terrain and weather conditions. 

RNP-AR also improves operational efficiency, Cohn added, citing approaches at Chicago Midway Airport as an example. “There’s no terrain to consider in Chicagoland,” he said. “But RNP-RA provides predictable, stabilized approaches in a high-traffic urban environment. We can shave 30-40 miles and more than five minutes off a typical approach at Midway.”  

Simplifying RNP-AR: Wingtip’s Seamless Path with Honeywell

With headquarters in Valparaiso, Indiana, and bases in Illinois, Colorado, and North Dakota, Wingtip has made a name for itself as a premier aircraft management company and certified air carrier. Safety is its top priority, and Wingtip is dedicated to customer service and creating a boutique-style atmosphere. 

The company manages and operates a fleet of about a dozen long-range business jets, most authorized to fly RNP approaches. As its name implies, RNP-AR access requires authorization from the FAA and when Wingtip decided to apply for authorization, they turned to Honeywell for assistance. 

“We talked to friends in the industry who used Honeywell to walk them through the process,” Cohn said. “The process can be complicated, so we decided to go that route, and we’re glad we did. The experience was terrific – Honeywell made things painless and seamless for us.” 

Honeywell also provides an RNP Navigation database that meets the FAA requirements for these types of operations. Honeywell has developed approaches that provide significant value and has included them in the RNP database. Subscribers receive updates monthly.