ESSP, as EGNOS SERVICE PROVIDER, and the Oslo Police District of the Norwegian National Police Air Support Unit, have recently signed an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA), as a key step for the implementation of EGNOS-based approach procedures in Norway. This agreement is the second one with an organization which is not an Air Navigation Service Provider, and has been defined in full cooperation with both the operator and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.

As you know, EGNOS is the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. It provides an augmentation signal to the Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS). The EGNOS service enables Low Level routes as well as PinS (Point in Space) approaches based on satellite navigation, both suitable for serving helicopter operations.

The agreement has been signed in October 2020, and establishes the operational and legal framework to use the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service as a navigation aid between the EGNOS Satellite Services Provider – ESSP - and the Norwegian National Police interested in using this service in their commitment to improve the entire Norwegian air support service.

The Norwegian Police air support unit recently moved into a new purpose built National Emergency Response Centre at Taraldrud close to the Norwegian capitol Oslo. The Emergency Response Centre will house the national contingency units consisting of the Bomb squad, Hostage negotiators, Intervention team and the Air support unit.

GPS approaches have been designed to a dedicated runway with approach light systems. The EGNOS service allows for PinS approaches down to LPV minimums increasing the operational ability of the helicopters in its role of providing public safety.

The approaches will primarily be used by the Norwegian Police Air support unit and its AW169 helicopters, but will also be made available for other public service operators in the future.

This agreement is framed into the EU Space Program actions to get the highest security rates and accuracy systems in aviation through Satellite Based Navigation Protocol.

The signature of the EWA agreement concludes an important step in international cooperation to employ EGNOS precision signals and services for a cost efficient navigation solution for the benefit of the citizens and the police missions in need of helicopters using satellite based navigation in Norway.

ESSP SAS (European Satellite Services Provider) is a European private company under French law whose shareholders are 7 key Air Navigation Service Providers. ESSP acts as the service provider for EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. The company is based in Toulouse (France) and Madrid (Spain).