HEDGE · Helicopters Deploy GNSS in Europe

The objectives of this project are to demonstrate new helicopter approach procedures for mountain rescue, offshore oilfield operations, helicopter emergency services and air taxi operations, and support these with necessary standards/certification/safety work to accelerate their operational deployment.Helicopter operations are often restricted to visual conditions which hampers their operational effectiveness. They are also in need of increased safety, since they have accident rates many times higher than commercial fixed-wing operations. This project will help both areas in this growing aviation sector.The project also includes small fixed-wing aircraft demonstrations of EGNOS APV approaches. Fixed wing operational deployments are already being managed by Eurocontrol. So the objectives here are to demonstrate fixed-wing benefits in Eastern Europe (not part of any previous work) and to demonstrate an integrated airport surveillance/navigation concept based on EGNOS.