This section discusses issues related to flight inspection that could arise during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the recovery phase, with particular regard to periodicity. The information provided aims to ensure that flight inspection will be able to maintain safe operation of navigation aids during the pandemic and will not be on the critical path to aviation recovery after the pandemic. It stresses the need to maintain regular ground and flight checks of navaids to ensure that they are available during recovery (delaying implementation of new facilities if necessary). Information is presented under the following headings:
- ICAO requirements on flight inspection periodicity
- The fundamental ICAO provision addressing flight inspection in general is the Standard in Annex 10, Volume I, Chapter 2, 2.2.1.
- Guidance on flight inspection, including periodicity, is given in the ICAO Manual on Testing of Radio Navigation Aids (Doc 8071). See related excerpts.
- Relationship between ground testing and flight inspection:
Doc 8071 also specifies a number of ground tests with an associated periodicity. Normal practice is to ensure that a navigation facility passes all of its ground tests prior to conducting a flight inspection. Local maintenance staff normally accomplish this. Doc 8071 assumes that such ground testing can be carried out as required and in accordance with the local COVID-related health precautions. Some of the measures presented on flight inspection periodicities can also be applied to ground maintenance staff.
This section provides information on flight inspection experiences and best practice currently adopted in several ICAO States, including recommendations on how to deal with periodicity intervals when delays are experienced.
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