active 2025-12-26 - Biggin Hill (EGKB) - Runway 03 RNP Approach Trial

[Chad Byworth]

Effective 26 Dec 2025 - 01 April 2026

Introduction
London Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB) has introduced an RNP approach to Runway 03 as an airspace trial. The trial is running until 01 April 2026 and for VATSIM purposes the RNP approach is available to any pilot who requests the procedure. The RNP approach is not to be offered by controllers except when it has been specifically requested by the pilot. TC Thames shall continue to use the existing ILS 21 circle Runway 03 procedure when the trial RNP approach has not been requested.

The trial RNP approach is available only:

• To aircraft able to conduct radius-to-fix (RF) legs,
• To IFR inbounds from the ATS route structure via JACKO or GODLU,
• When TC Thames (or top-down control) is staffed (ie. the procedure is not available with Biggin Hill APC).

The procedure can be conducted to LNAV and LNAV/VNAV minima.

Procedure Overview
The trial RNP approach commences inside the Class A London TMA at 3000 ft at OSVEV, which is the terminating fix for the Biggin Hill RNAV-1 transitions from JACKO (OSVEV 1J) and GODLU (OSVEV 1G).

The procedure routes aircraft through the Biggin Hill overhead at 3000 ft to fix ITSUM at a position 5.6 NM west of the aerodrome. From here, aircraft commence a descent to 2400 ft into the Class G airspace beneath the LTMA. Aircraft must be below 2400 ft by fix YARVU to ensure separation against Gatwick Runways 08L/R westbound departures and minimise the risk of an inadvertent infringement of the Gatwick CTA. At KBW01 the inbound aircraft will follow the RF track onto the Runway 03 extended centreline at KB03F. The missed approach procedure routes aircraft to the northeast to join the existing hold at ALKIN.

ATC Procedures
The trial procedure is only available when TC Thames (or top-down control) is staffed. Biggin Hill APC must not issue the trial procedure (this is because the procedure routes aircraft inside the LTMA and requires aircraft to be radar monitored against Heathrow and Gatwick traffic).

Pilots intending to conduct the approach shall “request RNP runway 03 trial” on first contact with TC Thames. Controllers are not to offer the trial procedure to any aircraft unless it is specifically requested by the pilot. When a pilot has not requested the trial RNP approach, TC Thames shall use the existing ILS 21 circle Runway 03 procedure. Aircraft cannot conduct simultaneous RNP 03 and ILS 21 circle Runway 03 approaches, when aircraft require differing approach types one inbound must be held until the other has completed its approach.

When a pilot has requested the RNP approach, TC Thames shall:

• Inform them “expect RNP approach Runway 03 leaving controlled airspace north of YARVU”,
• Prenote Biggin APC (or AIR in their absence) and TC Gatwick FIN with the aircraft callsign and estimate for YARVU.

Note: The prenote to Biggin Hill is in addition to the 10 NM range check provided for all Biggin Hill inbounds.

Once the aircraft has been issued descent to 3000 ft and prior to OSVEV, TC Thames shall clear the aircraft for the approach using the phraseology “cleared RNP approach Runway 03, report YARVU”.

Aircraft must be retained on the TC Thames frequency until they have left controlled airspace. Once aircraft are west of the Biggin Hill overhead they will be routing outside the existing Thames RMA and TC Thames must radar monitor the inbound as a high priority task against Heathrow DET and Gatwick outbounds. If the inbound does not achieve the 2400 ft or below restriction by YARVU, it must be broken off the approach and issued a turn to the north to deconflict against Gatwick traffic. If TC Thames observes a potential conflict against Heathrow DET or Gatwick outbounds, they shall initiate coordination with TC South to agree a resolution to the conflict.

Once an inbound aircraft has achieved the 2400 ft or below restriction at YARVU, it shall be transferred to Biggin APC or AIR and informed that the radar service is terminated. Inbound aircraft shall be transferred no later than FEZUC.