Draft EUG Master Plan Update, February 2010

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CHAPTER 3 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS traffic within 60 nautical miles of the Airport, to provide more precise handling of aircraft in the immediate vicinity of EUG. EUG also has a VHF Omni-Directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) system. Located west of Runway 16R/34L, the VORTAC is used by pilots accessing EUG, and by those flying over at higher altitudes. Other terminal area electronic NAVAIDs exist to provide instruction and weather information to pilots. The Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcasts verbal instruction, notice, and weather information to pilots as they operate on the ground, taxiing between runways and terminal areas. The weather information is provided by the Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) and Stand Alone Weather Sensor (SAWS) system, both located along Runway 16R/34L. Electronic Approach NAVAIDs Electronic approach NAVAIDs assist aircraft executing an instrument approach procedure. An instrument approach is a series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from enroute or local flight to a point from which landing may be made visually. The availability of instrument approach procedures permits aircraft landings during periods of limited visibility. The extent to which approach minimums, in terms of ceiling and visibility, can be lowered is dependent on instrumentation available upon which the approach procedure may be developed, and on obstructions in the approach and/or missed approach areas. Instrument approaches can be restricted to certain aircraft and flight crews which have been certified to conduct the procedure with appropriate equipment. The distinction between a precision and a non-precision approach procedure is that a precision approach provides the pilot with electronic glide slope (descent) and distance information, while a non-precision approach does not offer glide slope and may or may not offer distance information. Safety considerations and an airport’s operational role determine whether the degree of approach capability. All runway ends at EUG have at least a non-precision approach procedure. Runway 16L has a Category I instrument landing system (ILS), providing a precision approach procedure, with the ability to land with a decision height as low as 200 ft, and visibility not less than ½ mile. Runway 16R has a Category III-B ILS, providing a precision approach procedure, with the ability to land with no decision height and a runway visual range not less than 600 ft. This instrument approach capability minimizes the times that the airport must close due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. These approach procedures and instrumentation are expected to be sufficient for operations at EUG through 2026. However, consideration should be given to implementing new technologies and procedures as they are developed and introduced to the aviation system. 3-7 Eugene Airport Master Plan Update (February 2010)