India achieves major milestone to use new tech to land planes; becomes 1st in Asia Pacific
Accomplishing a major milestone in the field of air navigation services, the Airports Authority of India has successfully conducted a light trial using an indigenous satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) named GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) at the Kishangarh airport in Rajasthan. This is counted as a major feat as India has become the first country in Asia Pacific Region to have satellite-based landing procedure.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, GAGAN is the result of coordinated efforts of AAI (Airports Authority of India) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). A first of its kind, this system is developed for India and the neighbouring countries in the equatorial region.
Apart from India’s GAGAN, there are only three Space-Based augmentation systems available in the world namely – the US (WAAS), Europe (EGNOS) and Japan (MSAS).
All about GAGAN
Acronym for GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), is a Space-Based Augmentation System that is developed to provide the best possible navigational services over Indian FIR (Flight Information Region) with the capability of expanding to neighbouring FIRs.
Simply put, GAGAN is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, therefore giving better position accuracy. Since GPS alone does not suffice ICAOs (International Civil Aviation Organisation) navigational requirements for accuracy, integrity and availability; GAGAN is responsible for rectifying GPS signal errors that are caused by Ionospheric disturbances, timing and satellite orbit errors. Further, it provides vital information regarding the health of each satellite.
In 2015, GAGAN System was certified by DGCA (Directorate General for Civil Aviation) for approach with Vertical Guidance (APV 1) and en-route (RNP 0.1) operations.
What is LPV?
As per the official release, Indigo Airlines using its ATR aircraft has flown an Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) with LPV minima of 250ft, using GAGAN Service. The tests at Kishangarh Airport were performed as part of initial GAGAN LPV flight trials along with the DGCA team on- board. After the final approval by DGCA, the procedure will be available for the usage of commercial flights. Lowering the decision height up to 250 ft provides a substantial operational benefit in poor weather and low visibility conditions. Thus, any airport which hitherto would require higher visibility minima will be able to accept aircraft benefitting remote airports which are devoid of precision approach capability equipment.
LPV (Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance) is a Satellite-Based Procedure that has been used by the aircraft for landing purposes at Kishangarh Airport (Rajasthan). The highlight of LPV is that it has the capability to make the landing at airport easier that are not equipped with expensive Instrument landing Systems, which includes many small regional and local airports.
Gagan Message Service (GMS)
AAI in collaboration and coordination with Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has come up with GAGAN Message Service (GMS). This will aid in extending alert messages to fishermen, formers, and disaster-affected people on the occurrence of natural disasters, and calamities – such as floods, earthquakes etc.
The procedure
With the view to making the Indian civil aviation sector more Self-Reliant, the development of LPV procedures for all civil airports is in progress. Currently, Indigo (35), SpiceJet (21), Air India (15), Go First (04), Air Asia (01) and other airlines have aircraft in their fleet capable to use these LPV procedures. Airports Authority of India has developed 22 such procedures and some are under the process of approval from DGCA for commercial flight operations.
