As part of its GA airport GNSS upgrade programme, the UK CAA has awarded funding to a number of landing sites used by HEMS operators to develop satellite-based approaches. Almondsbury Helicopter Airbase, Strensham Airbase, Henstridge Airfield, Royal Sussex County Hospital and King’s College Hospital were all selected as successful applications of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Programme, run by the UK CAA together with the Department for Transport.

The improved IMC operations resilience will doubtless bring significant improvements not only in operational flexibility in the UK’s notoriously fickle weather and thus save lives, but it will also add another string to the safety bow.

Commenting on the funding, UK CAA Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation Rob Bishton said: “Emergency services will benefit from improved flight safety and increased resilience for helicopter services, which will allow landings to take place in severe weather and challenging conditions, saving lives in critical situations. We’ll work with applicants to deliver these benefits across the UK and enable the GNSS procedures to be implemented safely and efficiently.”

The CAA added that competition for funding in the third round of the GNSS Programme had been ‘highly competitive’ but that allocating funds to HEMS landing sites was thought to bring the most benefit to the wider community.

 

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