Bengaluru: With an increasing number of airlines and aircraft, Indian airspace and airports are set to face congestion and air traffic management issues. But at least a part of the problem will be solved when India switches to Gagan, or the GPS-aided Geo-Augmented Navigation, system some time later this year or in early 2014.
Gagan, India's version of a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), enhances the accuracy provided by the US Global Positioning System (GPS) signals to three metres. As a result, aircraft can be landed closer than is possible today. Gagan also helps plan straight - rather than 'zig zag' -- climb paths during an aircraft's ascent phase and helps plan shorter routes.
09/02/13 S. Raghotham/Deccan Chronicle
