India’s aviation sector has hit a significant landmark with the approval of the country’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations, at Undavalli Heliport. The procedure was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in line with DGCA regulations and the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
PinS procedures use advanced satellite-based navigation technology to allow helicopters to conduct safe, precise instrument approaches to heliports that lack conventional instrument landing infrastructure. The technology is especially valuable during bad weather and in areas where ground-based navigation aids are simply not available.
What the minister said
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who has been closely involved in steering the introduction of India’s first PinS procedure, called the development a turning point for the sector. “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.
I sincerely appreciate the coordinated efforts of all concerned agencies including the Airports Authority of India, DGCA and the state government of Andhra Pradesh in achieving this historic milestone. Our foremost priority is the adoption of modern technologies to make helicopter operations more reliable and more accessible across the country. We also recently concluded the first phase of this year’s Char Dham helicopter operations successfully without any incident supported by upgraded technological infrastructure. Our commitment is to build a technology-driven and globally benchmarked helicopter ecosystem in India,” he said.
Naidu also placed the achievement in the context of India’s broader aviation modernisation push. “Under the technology-driven leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India’s aviation sector is witnessing rapid technological advancement. Just last week, we successfully demonstrated the country’s first indigenous GAGAN-based precision approach by a commercial aircraft.
The introduction of the country’s first PinS Instrument Approach Procedure is another major milestone in this journey. 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,” he said.
What this opens up
The approval is expected to set the stage for similar PinS procedures to be developed across the country, with benefits expected for 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 how reliably flights can operate, and cut down on weather-related disruptions.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation congratulated the teams at DGCA, AAI, and all the stakeholders involved, saying the milestone further cements India’s position as a leader in adopting advanced aviation technologies, and reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening helicopter connectivity and improving aviation safety through modern satellite-based navigation.
Key Takeaway: The approval of India’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure at Undavalli Heliport marks a significant advancement in the country’s helicopter operations. Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in line with ICAO standards, the milestone strengthens aviation safety, expands the use of satellite-based navigation technologies, improves all-weather helicopter connectivity, and supports the Government’s vision of building a modern, technology-driven aviation ecosystem aligned with global best practices.
M.C.Q.
Question 1: India’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations has been approved for which heliport?
- A. Jolly Grant Heliport
- B. Begumpet Heliport
- C. Undavalli Heliport
- D. Pawan Hans Heliport
Question 2: Which organisation developed India’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations?
- A. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
- B. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- C. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- D. Airports Authority of India (AAI)
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