Russia May Introduce Glonass-Based Navigation System for Light Aircraft

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin claims that Russia may introduce a system of automatic dependent surveillance for light aircraft on the basis of Russia's Glonass satellite navigation network.

KRASNODAR (Sputnik) — Russia may introduce a system of automatic dependent surveillance for light aircraft on the basis of Russia's Glonass satellite navigation network, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Tuesday.

"Today [on Tuesday], we want to suggest to our authorities… a system based on Glonass technology, similar to the one that was created in the United States. Probably, more simple, which will allow each pilot to be fully oriented in airspace, to see everything that's going on there," Rogozin said.

All aircraft should have such a system installed, he added.

Rogozin suggested that the system be piloted in Moscow and the Moscow region as air traffic is heaviest in there.

On Saturday, nine people, including two minors, died when a seaplane collided with a light helicopter in the outskirts of Moscow. Aircraft of these classes are not required to be equipped with automatic dependent surveillance systems in Russia.

Glonass is a satellite navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces.

The Glonass project, which was launched in 1993, is considered to be Russia's answer to GPS (Global Positioning System).