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Flight Inspection of navigational
At IFS, we conduct thorough inspections and reviews of navigation aids, including ILS, VOR, DME, NDB, Radar, PAPI, and GBAS. Our certifications derived from the inspections are fully compliant with ICAO and FAA regulations.
We support our clients in implementing the necessary adjustments to ensure their navigation systems remain operational, minimizing any impact on air safety.
International Flight Services SA and its subsidiary, International Flight Services SAC, operate under the strict requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensuring that our in-flight inspection procedures are carried out with the highest quality.
Our team, including employees and subcontractors, adheres to the provisions set out in Documents 8071, Volumes 1, 2, and 3, as well as Annex 10 and Annex 14 of the Chicago Convention.
Our laboratory aircraft are equipped to inspect, certify, and verify procedures and radio aids. We have highly trained inspectors authorized to certify and commission these navigation aids, ensuring safety and efficiency in air operations.
International Flight Services (IFS) has the capability to deploy more than four teams simultaneously at different locations around the world. This allows us to calibrate, commission, and certify a variety of navigation aids, including:
- ILS (Instrumental Landing System)
- VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range)
- DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)
- NDB (Non-directional beacon)
- PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator System)
- Primary, secondary and PAR Radar
- TACAN
- GBAS (Ground-Based Augmentation System)
Our ability to operate globally ensures that we can serve our clients wherever they need us, guaranteeing continuity and safety in their air operations.
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Validation of preocedure
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SERVICES S.A. conducts flight procedure validations in accordance with ICAO, specifically under Document 8168 (Aircraft Operations, Volume 2) and Document 9906 (Quality Assurance Manual for Flight Procedure Design, Volume 5), ensuring that all procedures meet the requirements of Annex 15.
Our validation pilots are licensed professionals who have completed specialized training in procedure validation. They perform the critical task of verifying the instrument flight procedure as designed, evaluating key operational factors such as design, navigation charts, obstacles, infrastructure, visibility, aircraft category, flyability, and human factors.
We operate specially modified aircraft for validation flights, equipped with GARMIN 1000 NXI or equivalent systems, complemented by a Flight Inspection System. During these flights, the system records all aircraft positioning data and allows our inspectors to identify any potential deviations outside of tolerance between the planned design and the actual flight path, using the aircraft's FMS.
At INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SERVICES S.A., we enhance our Flight Inspection System by incorporating a differential GPS that provides centimeter-level accuracy to validate the final approach phase. For RNP and GBAS procedures, we analyze critical parameters included in the Final Approach Segment (FAS) Data Block and the data link (GBAS), such as:
- Flight Path Angle
- Threshold Crossing Heights
- Threshold Coordinates
- Final Approach Path Alignment Points
Validation flights have several key objectives:
- Ensure Adequate Obstacle ClearanceWe ensure that the approach path is free of obstacles.
- Verify Navigation Data: We confirm the navigation data that will be published and those used in the procedure design.
- Operational Infrastructure: We verify that all necessary elements, such as runway signage, lighting, and communication and navigation sources, are properly installed and operational.
- Evaluation of "Flyability": We determine that the procedure can be flown safely.
- Evaluation of Operational Factors: We review the mapping, necessary infrastructure, visibility, and other operational aspects.
- ARINC Coding Verification: We confirm the ARINC coding of the procedure's waypoints.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SERVICES S.A. offers expert advice on the design, ground validation, and publication of RNP procedures. Our team of professionals thoroughly reviews the entire instrument flight procedure, identifying potential errors in criteria and documentation, as well as evaluating the elements and issues to be addressed during a validation flight.
According to ICAO Document 8168, Volume 2, Chapter 4.6.3, "Validation flights of instrument approach procedures must be conducted as part of the initial certification and must also be included in the periodic quality assurance program."
