India's first PinS instrument approach procedure for helicopters approved at Undavalli Heliport
India's first private Point-in-Space (PinS) instrument approach procedure for helicopter operations, developed by AAI and approved by DGCA, was approved for Undavalli Heliport, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on 1 July 2026.
Summary
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on 1 July 2026 the approval of India's first private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport, developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices. PinS procedures use satellite-based navigation to let helicopters make precise instrument approaches to heliports without conventional instrument landing infrastructure, which helps in bad weather and where ground navigation aids are absent. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu thanked AAI, DGCA and the Andhra Pradesh government.
Key facts
- First
- India's first private PinS instrument approach procedure for helicopters
- Heliport
- Undavalli Heliport
- Developed by
- Airports Authority of India
- Approved by
- DGCA, per ICAO SARPs
- Technology
- Satellite-based navigation; no conventional ILS needed
Practice MCQs 2 questions
India's first private Point-in-Space (PinS) instrument approach procedure for helicopter operations was approved in July 2026 for which heliport?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Undavalli Heliport
The first private PinS Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopters was approved for Undavalli Heliport.
Consider the following about India's first PinS procedure for helicopters (July 2026): 1. It was developed by the Airports Authority of India. 2. It was approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. 3. It depends on a conventional Instrument Landing System installed at the heliport. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
AAI developed and DGCA approved the procedure. PinS uses satellite-based navigation for heliports that do not have conventional instrument landing infrastructure, so statement 3 is wrong.