Could 2023 finally be the “Year of PinS” in the UK..?

Original Image Source: https://beyouthclothing.com/

Based on that title, introduction and Garfield graphic, you’d be forgiven for wondering where we are going with this blog… do not despair, all will be revealed.

In Vietnam, cats hold unique spiritual and practical meaning; cats are considered to bring good luck and smooth sailing and their presence is believed to help ward off bad spirits. Well, the cats’ luck is certainly working its magic and there can be no doubt that 2023 is the “Year of the PinS” in the UK, as the CAA announced the first 5 sites to undertake the process of implementation as part of the DfT’s GNSS Implementation Programme (Phase 3). “Smooth sailing”... well, you be the judge(s)…

As regular readers will know, the UK’s road to implementing PinS has been long, frustrating and contained its fair share of bumps and potholes. As we offered in some of our blogs last year, there have indeed been significant moves afoot to smooth that road; DfT’s grant towards sponsors’ design and implementation costs, the establishment of a dedicated GNSS/PinS facilitation team within the CAA and the promise of a shiny, new PinS CAP document all provided tangible cause optimism. Things have started to crystallise and, whilst DfT funding may not be as plentiful as first mooted and the PinS CAP (CAP2520) isn’t quite the panacea we had hoped for, implementation of PinS (for some) in the UK appears set for take-off!

Image: helicopter: Susan Reed; weather vane © brankica | VectorStock; clouds: © nd700 | Adobe Stock

Our blog last Christmas intimated that “significant refinements” to the PinS ACP process were in the offing, and the CAA offered that sponsors would be guided through “…a streamlined Airspace Change process…”.  Alas; however, hope did not necessarily spring eternal. As we understand it, the CAA’s overarching process instrument remains CAP1616, Part1c [1] (ably supported by a raft of other CAPs). Yes, Part 1c offers a truncated ACP process (laudable…), but - unamended - it continues to fall short on the detail that the 5 UK PinS sponsors need! Unsurprisingly, we still anticipate bumps and potholes in the road, but there is a clear desire from PinS sponsors (HEMS operators) and - dare we say it - CAA to make this work. 

CAP2520 states that “…the first stage is to only accept applications to licensed aerodromes with the exception for “Blue Light” services operating to/from unlicensed landing sites and FATO”; CAA will review this stance after this tranche of the 5 selected sites. CAP2520, however, raises many questions and (in some instances) contradicts itself, cutting across elements of CAP1616 (in its current form…). PinS sponsors must receive unequivocal guidance on a number of key issues before their respective journeys (and “smooth sailing”) can begin in earnest.

Of particular note: CAP2520’s direction that “PinS to unlicensed [sic] landing sites will be strictly limited to the concept of “proceed VFR” for both departure and arrival” might place an undue constraint on HEMS operations at an autonomous FATO or unlicenced aerodrome, where “proceed visually” offers greater operational flexibility (and is a capability some HEMS operators have today without PinS…). This anomaly appears at odds with CAA’s earlier assertion that “[t]he potential benefits [of PinS] are even greater as it will enable air ambulances to land safely in weather that they would not previously be able to”… discuss! Additionally, CAP2520 offers very confusing (in some cases, completely impracticable...) direction on who should own the PinS procedure(s). There are many more observations (upon which sponsors must receive clarification), but time and decorum prohibit…

Notwithstanding the foregoing, readers can be confident that the UK PinS journey is indeed underway and a navigable route is being laid before us. For a car journey, satnav offers different routes to the same destination, each offering trade-offs (time, speed, complexity…) and the driver selects their preferred route. So, the PinS destinations (i.e. the 5 selected locations) are set, but sponsors want (and need) an optimum route for their respective ACPs (local airspace/ATM complexities aside). The (surmountable) challenge, therefore, is for the CAA to set the pragmatic regulatory route for sponsors to follow for their respective helicopter operations and PinS ACP applications. 

Earlier, we mentioned the cats, but what about the dragons? In the Vietnamese calendar, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon; the dragon represents the power of heaven and earth! Hopefully, next year we won’t still be trying to move heaven and earth to get PinS successfully implemented in the UK!!

Image Credit: © HBO

To quote Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, the Breaker of Chains etc etc:

“It's not easy to see something that's never been before…”.

Wise words, indeed!

So, there you have it; Avigation’s “Game of PinS - a Tale of Cats & Dragons”.

We will be sure to keep you posted.

Avigation Can Support You

Avigation has a demonstrable breadth and depth of experience in PinS development and implementation through our long association and close working relationship with Pildo Labs, a UK CAA-approved instrument procedure design organisation with unrivalled experience delivering PinS in mainland Europe.

Additionally, Avigation has first-hand, practical experience in the management and delivery of the UK CAA’s CAP1616 and ACP processes and continues to support its clients through these activities. Avigation is, therefore, ideally placed to support organisations who are considering airspace changes and the design, development and implementation of instrument flight procedures.

Why not contact us on info@avigation.co.uk.

#AvigationLtd #PildoLabs #GNSS #PinS #HEMS #ACP #CAA #CAP1616

[1]. “Airspace Change Process for RNP Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) without an Approach Control Service”