The Prime Minister lauded Asia’s first demonstration for Performance-Based Navigation for helicopters for a flight from Juhu to Pune using GAGAN satellite technology.
Key points
- India conducted Asia’s first ever demonstration of performance-based navigation for helicopters on May 31, 2023.
- The demonstration was done for a flight from Juhu to Pune using the GAGAN satellite technology.
- GAGAN is short for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
- The Airports Authority of India mentions that GAGAN provides necessary augmentations to the GPS standard positioning services (SPS) navigation signal.
- This technology is a space-based augmentation system that provides best of navigational services over the Indian Flight Information Region with the ability and capability to expand to neighbouring Flight Information Regions.
- A network of precisely surveyed ground reference stations (INdianReference Stations: INRES) is strategically positioned across the country to collect GPS satellite data.
- The technology is designed to provide the additional accuracy that is needed to give users the option to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, that are en route through approach for all qualified airports within the GAGAN service volume.
- In addition, GAGAN will provide benefits beyond aviation to all modes of transportation, including maritime, highways, and railroads.
About Performance-based Navigation (PBN)
- Performance-based Navigation (PBN) redefines the aircraft’s required navigation capability from sensor (equipment) based to performance based.
- The foundation for Performance Based Navigation is area navigation or RNAV.
- PBN offers significant advantages over the current sensor specific method (which uses ground based navigation aids).
