DGCA clears satellite-guided PinS helicopter landing system

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the country’s first private Point-in-Space (PinS) instrument approach procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport.

• Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the PinS procedure has been designed in accordance with DGCA regulations and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices.

What is PinS (Point-in-Space) procedure?

• PinS (Point-in-Space) procedures use advanced satellite-based navigation technology to enable helicopters to conduct safe and precise instrument approaches to heliports that do not have conventional instrument landing infrastructure. 

• This is particularly beneficial during adverse weather conditions and in areas where ground-based navigation aids are not available.

• The introduction of India’s first PinS instrument approach procedure marks the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations by significantly enhancing flight safety, operational efficiency and all-weather accessibility.

• It reinforces the government’s vision of modernising aviation infrastructure through Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), expanding the use of indigenous satellite-based navigation technologies and aligning India’s aviation ecosystem with global best practices.

• The approval is expected to pave the way for the development of similar PinS procedures across the country, benefiting emergency medical services, disaster relief operations, tourism, offshore activities, pilgrimage services, corporate aviation, and regional connectivity. 

• It will enable safer Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations to remote and strategically important locations, improve operational reliability, and reduce weather-related disruptions.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)