Flight Inspection Packages and Interface Problems

The necessity to perform aerial inspection of ground based navigation aids has been established beyond doubt. The adequacy of equipment available to perform this mission is not as clearly defined. Problems encountered over several years of direct experience are illustrated with the conclusion that end-users may have purchased products that will not meet flight inspection requirements.

The major areas of concern in providing a total FIS package are the airframe, the primary radios, and the support equipment. Console design is complicated by the necessity of interfacing with numerous airframe configurations. A need exists to coordinate the efforts of airframe manufacturers, black-box suppliers, and installers to provide safe dependable systems capable of performing the intended mission.