A aviation & planes forum. AviationBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AviationBanter forum » rec.aviation newsgroups » Instrument Flight Rules
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Flight Checks



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old September 22nd 03, 01:42 PM
Mark Jackson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Flight Checks

Our airport (KAXH Houston-Southwest) had a LOC-DME approach. According to
the airport management, the Feds came in a shut it down because the
equipment was so old that they couldn't test it anymore. New equipment was
ordered and installed, etc. etc. We are now waiting for the FAA to flight
test the approach. It has been a month and the airport people keep saying
"sometime soon."

How long does the flight test process take? Is there any way to check the
status with the FSDO or the like? It has been almost six months that we
haven't had a non-GPS approach. What experiences have others had with the
FAA?

Thks

Mark Jackson


  #2  
Old September 22nd 03, 02:43 PM
James M. Knox
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Mark Jackson" wrote in
:

New equipment was ordered and installed, etc. etc. We are now waiting
for the FAA to flight test the approach. It has been a month and the
airport people keep saying "sometime soon."

How long does the flight test process take? Is there any way to check
the status with the FSDO or the like?


Well, the flight check only takes about an hour or less. Essentially they
just fly the approach like anyone would, and log the results. They will
usually fly it more than once, however, to check the limits.

The problem is that the FAA only has a couple of planes to do this for the
entire USA. Normally this is enough - they sort of wander across the
country and all of the approaches get rechecked every few years. The
problem in your case is that you don't want to wait for years. {:(

Unlikely that your FSDO would have any information. I believe that it's
handled out of Oklahoma City. You might give AOPA a call and see if they
can get you a phone number.

-----------------------------------------------
James M. Knox
TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331
Austin, Tx 78721
-----------------------------------------------
  #3  
Old September 22nd 03, 09:55 PM
John R. Copeland
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The flight check is rather more than just flying the LOC/DME approach.
They also make multiple cross-cuts through it, too,
checking off-axis performance. But it's no big deal.

You're right about the lead time for scheduling the flight, of course.
---JRC---

"James M. Knox" wrote in message =
...
=20
=20
Well, the flight check only takes about an hour or less. Essentially =

they=20
just fly the approach like anyone would, and log the results. They =

will=20
usually fly it more than once, however, to check the limits.
=20
The problem is that the FAA only has a couple of planes to do this for =

the=20
entire USA. Normally this is enough - they sort of wander across the=20
country and all of the approaches get rechecked every few years. The=20
problem in your case is that you don't want to wait for years. {:(
=20


  #4  
Old September 22nd 03, 10:44 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Check the following link. It gives the telephone number of both tha manager
and assistant manger of the National Flight Inspection Office. They can refer
you to the right field office.

http://avn.faa.gov/accessible.asp?xml=fioo/index

And, they have considerably more than two aircraft.

Mark Jackson wrote:

Our airport (KAXH Houston-Southwest) had a LOC-DME approach. According to
the airport management, the Feds came in a shut it down because the
equipment was so old that they couldn't test it anymore. New equipment was
ordered and installed, etc. etc. We are now waiting for the FAA to flight
test the approach. It has been a month and the airport people keep saying
"sometime soon."

How long does the flight test process take? Is there any way to check the
status with the FSDO or the like? It has been almost six months that we
haven't had a non-GPS approach. What experiences have others had with the
FAA?

Thks

Mark Jackson


  #5  
Old September 23rd 03, 01:48 AM
Stan Gosnell
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Mark Jackson" wrote in
:

Our airport (KAXH Houston-Southwest) had a LOC-DME
approach. According to the airport management, the Feds
came in a shut it down because the equipment was so old
that they couldn't test it anymore. New equipment was
ordered and installed, etc. etc. We are now waiting for
the FAA to flight test the approach. It has been a month
and the airport people keep saying "sometime soon."

How long does the flight test process take? Is there any
way to check the status with the FSDO or the like? It has
been almost six months that we haven't had a non-GPS
approach. What experiences have others had with the FAA?


We've been waiting for a check for a new GPS approach in
Galveston for a long time, too. Coming in from offshore, we
have to fly way north to come back in on an approach, taking
much longer than necessary.

The good news may be that there's an FAA flight-check aircraft
on the ramp now, staying overnight. Maybe they'll get something
done down here, maybe get AXH too.

--
Regards,

Stan
  #6  
Old September 24th 03, 06:39 PM
Tune2828
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

while taxiing at denver a few in july i heard on united ch 9 a 737 doing
approaches for new runway, -call sign was "flight check"

then yesterday was talking about new runway with news guy at work (i work for
group of radio stations) - he was on board one of the flight check flights with
some other media people as they demonstrated some cat III landings.

he didn't know i was pilot, but probably could have joined him - and i'm
kicking myself i didn't know about it to even ask.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AOPA Stall/Spin Study -- Stowell's Review (8,000 words) Rich Stowell Aerobatics 28 January 2nd 09 03:26 PM
new theory of flight released Sept 2004 Mark Oliver Aerobatics 1 October 5th 04 10:20 PM
Flight Simulator 2004 pro 4CDs, Eurowings 2004, Sea Plane Adventures, Concorde, HONG KONG 2004, World Airlines, other Addons, Sky Ranch, Jumbo 747, Greece 2000 [include El.Venizelos], Polynesia 2000, Real Airports, Private Wings, FLITESTAR V8.5 - JEP vvcd Home Built 0 September 22nd 04 07:16 PM
Flight test update - endpoints and elbows nauga Home Built 10 June 30th 04 03:33 AM
IFR flight plan filing question Tune2828 Instrument Flight Rules 2 July 23rd 03 03:33 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:53 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AviationBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.