The Hindu Business Line : Space-based augmentation system for air safety in offing

THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are developing a space-based augmentation system (SBAS) costing about Rs 450 crore for global positioning system (GPS) signals to prevent air accidents, according to Mr H.S. Khola, Director-General of Civil Aviation.

Mr Khola, who addressed the Indian Airlines Officers Association's Millennium Meet on `Application of technical advances to minimise human errors in civil aviation,' said that 60 per cent of air accidents were due to human errors, which could be reduced, if not eliminated.

He said the strategy for minimising accidents comprised increased safety training, proactive accident prevention approach, maximising the use of advanced technology systems and safety audit. Installation of airborne collision avoidance system and provision of precision approach aids would be made mandatory.

Mr T.S. Chandrasekhar, Director of IA southern region, said new markets for aviation were being opened up after China's entry into WTO and a new paradigm of employment had come into play. There were also internal costs including identified business risk available through insurance, feeder routes and infrastructure development.

Mr P. Mohanan, Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, who spoke on `Aviation security — Emerging challenges', explained the suggestions of the international civil aviation meet at Montreal on the scenario emerging in the context of terrorist attacks.

He said that security had taken a premier position in aviation after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

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