The EUROCONTROL Performance Based Navigation course, introduces the PBN concept which was introduced in 2008. The course discusses the evolution of the concept and explains the principles of PBN. The course then focuses on the three components of PBN: the Navigation Application, Navigation Specifications and the Navigation Infrastructure. Once these tenets are understood, the course considers how to implement PBN and follows the principles laid out in the European Airspace Concept Handbook for PBN Implementation. This document, re-released in 2013 as Edition 3, provides step-by-step guidance to support a successful PBN airspace change. Although focused on the European area, the handbook provides any region or State excellent guidance on implementation and this document builds upon ICAO’s Doc 9992.
Finally, the European Commission is finalising the PBN rule which will run in parallel to the Pilot Common Project Implementing Regulation (PCP IR) which came into force in July 2014.  Both the PBN rule and the PCP IR will influence the future navigation applications within European airspace and both rule and regulation address the ICAO General Assembly Resolution (37/11) on the requirement for approach procedures with vertical guidance (APV) for all instrument runway ends; this ICAO resolution originally called for by a completion date of 2016. Therefore, the course will review the current status and impact of the PBN rule and will discuss ATM Functionalities (AF) #1 and #3 of the PCP both of which have specific requirements on PBN functionality.