IndiGo trials 1st aircraft landing using GAGAN satellite technology

One of India's leading airlines, IndiGo has recently made history by becoming the first Asian airline to leverage the indigenously developed satellite-based navigation system GAGAN while landing.

The trials were conducted on an ATR72 aircraft in the presence of officials from the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) at the Kishangarh Airport located close to Ajmer.

The GAGAN system has been combinedly developed by the AAI (Airports Authority of India) and the Indian Space Research Organization. Leveraging the uplink and reference stations, the system offers modifications to the GPS (global positioning system) signal for improving air traffic management.

Notably, the project was introduced for the use in aviation by Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the civil aviation minister, in 2015, it remained to be a non-starter until now.

The trial planning for the flights started eight months ago, with AAI designing the procedures used recently.

Senior vice-president (flight operations) at IndiGo - Captain Ashim Mitra, said that the training of pilots started after getting approval from the regulator. Last week, they successfully undertook simulator checks to assess its capabilities.

After the flight trial, the DGCA will be giving the final approval, which will be authorized in the air operator certificate, said Captain Mitra.

SpiceJet, too, has made a request to the DGCA, seeking support for satellite-based strategies.

Furthermore, several airports, including those falling under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, are being examined to develop GAGAN-based localizer performance with vertical guidance instrument approach procedures.

Therefore, aircraft that are suitably equipped can procure maximum benefit considering improved safety while landing, reduction in delays, and reduction in fuel consumption, cancellations and diversions.

Currently, SpiceJet, IndiGo, Air India, Go First, and AirAsia India have aircraft that can carry out these products are based on satellites.

Source Credit - https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/indigo-runs-first-trial-flight-using-gagan-satellite-technology-122042801427_1.html