Flight inspection-the “state of the art”

Flight Inspection encompasses the verification of navigational aids (e.g. VOR´s, ILS´s, GPS) in the air to ensure that the guidance signals emanating from these ground/air facilities as received by the user (Aviation Community) are within specification. This paper provide a brief tutorial on flight inspection concepts, fundamental techniques utilized for measurement and a typical system configuration employed on many of today´s flight inspection aircraft. The balance of the paper focuses on the attributes of the latest generation Flight Inspection System (FIS) currently being developed for the US FAA by Gull Electronics Systems Division (Gull) of Parker Hannifin Corporation. The system consisting of airborne and ground components, employs the latest receiver, display and computer technology capitalizing on many developments achieved by both commercial and military aviation. The adaptation of Color Active Matrix LCD´s for operator displays, state-of-the-art GPS for improved positioning and DATALINK to enhance air/ground communications for routine deployment and emergency dispatch, will ensure the ultimate Flight Inspection platform leading into the 21th century