On April 29th, 2025, the Visual and Instrument Take-Off and Landing Manoeuvres with EGNSS and Copernicus (VITOLMINS) project kicked-off at PildoLabs HQs in Barcelona.

The Project, co-funded by EUSPA (European Union Agency for the Space Programme) under the Horizon Europe programme, aims to promote the development of more efficient and green aviation operations, thruough the development of specific flight procedures, that could be operated in all-weather conditions by a VCA (Vertical Take-off and Landing Capable Aircraft) enhanced by dual frecuency multi-constellation SBAS capabilities and Copernicus data products.

VITOLMINS responds to two key operational needs for the success of Innovative Air Mobility: all-weather vertiport accessibility and the integration of VCA operations at airports without interfering with existing traffic.

To achieve this, the project develops low-noise flight procedure design criteria and EGNSS–Copernicus capable avionics to support the gradual integration of seamless, efficient and accurate VCA operations at busy airports and other landing locations in all-weather conditions. While the project primarily targets the IAM market, its outcomes will also be relevant to — and have an impact on — the wider aviation community.

The main objectives of VITOLMINS are:

• Define VCA-Specific Flight Procedures Using EGNSS: Design new flight criteria optimized for VCA capabilities in both visual and instrument conditions, ensuring efficient integration into complex and high-density airspace environments, including busy airports and vertiports.
• Integrate DFMC SBAS Navigation into VCA Platforms: Equip VCAs with a hybrid navigation solution combining inertial sensors and DFMC SBAS to enhance navigation accuracy, robustness, and operational flexibility.
• Accelerate Operational Deployment of EGNSS-Based Air Operations: Bridge the gap between technological availability and actual operational use of EGNSS in aviation, ensuring that VCAs can fully exploit their navigation capabilities from the start, unlike the slower adoption path seen in helicopters.
• Incorporate Copernicus Earth Observation Data into Certified Avionics: Demonstrate the use of satellite imagery products to enhance situational awareness and terrain avoidance systems in VCA operations, improving safety, especially in obstacle-rich environments.
• Promote Standardisation and Certification Pathways: Engage with aviation authorities and standardization bodies to support the evolution of regulatory frameworks for EGNSS-based VCA operations, from VFR to full IFR, through the creation of a dedicated Advisory Committee and alignment with initiatives like the EUSPA FLAG Working Group.

The VITOLMINS consortium is composed of 6 complementary partners from 4 European countries, combining expertise across the full VTOL ecosystem: flight operations and maintenance, VCA development, GNSS and flight procedure design, avionics and onboard equipment, technology integration, and academic research.

Finally, VITOLMINS is designed for real-world uptake: it will actively contribute to standardisation and certification by engaging with ARINC, EUROCAE, RTCA and ICAO IFPP, supporting progress and market adoption of the project’s concepts and technologies.