Science TechnologyFriday, 7 August 2026·The Hindu - National
HAL Bengaluru airport first in India to use RNP CAT H helicopter approach procedure
HAL airport in Bengaluru became India’s first airport to operationalise the RNP CAT H helicopter approach, cutting approach time from 12 minutes to about four minutes.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru became the first airport in India to operationalise the Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H) helicopter approach procedure.
Key specifics
- RNP CAT H is a satellite-guided precision navigation system designed exclusively for helicopters.
- The procedure was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the DGCA.
- HAL test pilots validated the system through flight trials before operational use.
- The approach time to HAL airport fell from 12 minutes to about four minutes.
- HAL airport handles nearly 50 helicopter movements every day and stopped commercial operations in 2008.
Exam lens
Science and technology plus aviation infrastructure, RNP CAT H, AAI, DGCA, HAL Bengaluru, 12 minutes to 4 minutes. TNPSC may ask: which airport became the first in India to operationalise a helicopter-specific precision approach?