Highlights
• The test flight landed in Kishangarh
• It is part of the approval procedure with the DGCA,
• It involves pilot training, approach validation, and simulator sessions
An IndiGo-operated ATR 72-600 landed at Kishangarh airport on Thursday, guided by India’s satellite-based augmentation system known as GAGAN, or GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation. With this trial landing near Ajmer, Rajasthan, India joined a select group of countries that have their satellite-based augmentation system, including the United States, Japan, and Europe (SBAS).
What is GAGAN?
According to an IndiGo statement, GAGAN was jointly developed by the Centre-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). When an airplane approaches a runway for landing, it is employed to offer lateral and vertical guidance. Its accuracy is especially important at tiny airports without an instrument landing system (ILS).
GAGAN will modernize India’s civil aviation sector, minimize flight delays, save fuel, and increase flight safety, according to the statement. GAGAN equipment must be installed on all aircraft registered in India from July 1, 2021, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
According to the ministry of civil aviation, the IndiGo aircraft used GAGAN Service to fly an aircraft with an Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) with an LPV minimum of 250ft.
In bad weather and low visibility, the decision to drop the height to 250 feet provides a significant operating benefit.