Representatives from organizations involved in UK Sovereign Satellite Based Augmentation System. Photo: Viasat

Viasat has revealed details of a key demonstration in the United Kingdom in the aviation arena. It has demonstrated a U.K. satellite-based augmentation system (UK SBAS) for the first time, showing how highly accurate GPS data can maximize safety and improve efficiency. The test flight was flown from Cranfield Airport last month using the National Flying Laboratory Centre’s Saab 340B aircraft. Viasat announced details of the successful demonstration on Jan. 18.

UK SBAS works by combining ground monitoring data with satellite connectivity to provide more reliable navigational data. Across a range of applications, it can offer positioning down to a few centimeters of accuracy, rather than the few meters provided by standard GPS.  For aviation, the system gives pilots greater trust in their onboard instruments, which has major implications when pilots may not be able to physically see a runway or other obstacles due to bad weather.

Viasat’s research with one regional flight operator indicated that close to 40 percent of flights cancelled due to weather could have gone ahead had UK SBAS been available for its fleet. Around the UK, 19 airports had EGNOS procedures in place prior to leaving the European Union. In total, as many as 72 airports no longer have access.

“This trial on a sovereign UK SBAS is all about delivering trust. Trust for pilots in their tracking systems so they can stay safe in challenging conditions. Trust for the aviation industry more broadly so it can rely on data to operate more efficiently. And, in the future, trust that we can use highly accurate tracking to develop Britain’s transport system as new technologies come into play. We’re excited to continue the trial and see how far we can take it,” Todd McDonnell, President of International Government for Viasat, said in a statement.