Air navigation
tests taking off

Airservices Australia has launched a program to inspect navigational aids used by pilots and has asked residents near airports not to be alarmed by low-flying aircraft.
   As the provider of air traffic management services throughout Australia, Airservices is responsible for conducting regular flight calibration inspections on about 500 navigational aids nationwide.
   Based in Brisbane, the Service will carry out inspections on navigational equipment
Equipment inspections under way
(including ground-based augmentation systems, distance measuring equipment, non-directional beacons and instrument landing systems) in Canberra on 19 February; Wagga Wagga and Bankstown on 20 February; and Sydney on 23 and 24 February.
   The Service issued a statement saying the upcoming inspections would see a specially-equipped twin-engine Beechcraft King Air make several approaches to an airfield to ensure the navigational equipment was operating accurately.
   “Using three-dimensional laser measuring equipment and GPS technology, information from the navigational aid is relayed to the aircraft and interpreted by a specialist aircrew,” it said.
   “The data is then analysed by Airservices maintenance engineers to ensure each aid is operating accurately.
   “The navigational equipment is crucial to the safe and efficient operation of aircraft at major and regional airports, aerodromes and airstrips.”
   The Service warned there may be changes to the schedule if poor weather or other factors prevented the safety checks from going ahead.
Edition 349, 19 February 2013
Have Your Say On This Story!comment
print
pdf
Email a friend

Click to visit the PSshop
Next