The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the approval of India's first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport, marking a significant milestone in the country's aviation sector. Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the PinS procedure complies with DGCA regulations and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices.
The PinS technology uses advanced satellite-based navigation to enable helicopters to conduct safe and precise instrument approaches to heliports lacking conventional instrument landing infrastructure, particularly beneficial during adverse weather conditions and in areas without ground-based navigation aids. Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu has been closely monitoring the introduction of this procedure, stating that it marks the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations by significantly enhancing flight safety, operational efficiency, and all-weather accessibility.
The Minister highlighted the coordinated efforts of AAI, DGCA, and the state government of Andhra Pradesh in achieving this milestone, noting the government's priority to adopt modern technologies for more reliable and accessible helicopter operations across India. He referenced the successful conclusion of the first phase of this year's Char Dham helicopter operations without any incidents, supported by upgraded technological infrastructure, and connected this development to India's recent demonstration of the country's first indigenous GAGAN-based precision approach by a commercial aircraft.
This approval is expected to pave the way for developing similar PinS procedures nationwide, benefiting emergency medical services, disaster relief operations, tourism, offshore activities, pilgrimage services, corporate aviation, and regional connectivity. The technology will enable safer Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations to remote and strategically important locations, improve operational reliability, and reduce weather-related disruptions, reflecting India's commitment to adopting global best practices and enhancing aviation safety through modern satellite-based navigation.