Satellite-based navigation for air travel safety

May 14, 2012 |

Age Correspondent

chennai

Air travel in India is getting safer and better as the GPS-aided Geo Augmented Navigation system (Gagan), a satellite-based facility to enhance safety and efficiency of aircraft operations, will be installed in all airports across the country by June next year. Gagan is a joint venture between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
After commissioning the Air Traffic Signal Automation at the Tiruchy airport, AAI Air Navigation Services member V. Somasundaram said Gagan would improve air traffic management through timely information on aircraft movement, integration of meteorological data and aeronautical information. The pilots will directly receive details from satellites.
“India will be the fourth country after the United States, Japan and European Consortium to have Gagan, which minimises or eliminates human intervention in the air traffic control and plane cockpit,” he said, adding that the system would enhance safety and efficiency of aircraft operations through better situational awareness and safety tools for the ATCs.
The AAI had installed ground reference stations in 15 strategic locations across the country and all airports would be networked through them. The national Gagan centre would be located in Bengaluru.
Apart from air navigation applications, Mr Somasundaram said, Gagan would also be useful to other service providers like the Indian Railways and Archaeological Survey of India. The Navy and Indian Coast Guard could also use the facility, he added.
To upgrade air traffic management sector, Mr Somasundaram said, the AAI would install Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a cost-effective surveillance technology in 14 airports in the country by July this year.
“We are constantly upgrading our technologies. ADS-B, which helps in tracking aircraft as part of next generation air transportation system will be useful as a supplementary device especially when the radar fails or withdrawn for some reason,” he added.

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