Chapter 9. Special Flights

Section 1. General

9-1-1. GENERAL

Provide aircraft engaged in the flight inspection of NAVAIDs with maximum assistance. Unless otherwise agreed to, maintain direct contact with the pilot and exchange information regarding known traffic in the area and his/her intentions.

9-1-2. SPECIAL HANDLING

Clear the aircraft according to pilot request as soon as practicable. Do not ask the pilot to deviate from his/her planned action except to preclude an emergency situation.

REFERENCE-

FAA Order 8240.41, Flight Inspection/Air Traffic On‐Site Coordination Requirements, Appendix 1, describes certain flight inspection maneuvers in detail.
Issue radar advisories to the flight inspection aircraft where adequate coverage exists and to the extent permitted by workload.
Suggest flight path adjustments, as required, for any aircraft which will enter or penetrate an area in which a flight inspection function is being performed.
Provide special handling, as required, to FAA aircraft conducting flight inspections using the call sign “Flight Check.” Use of the term “recorded run” by Flight Check aircraft indicates automated flight inspections are in progress.
NOTE-
1. Flight Check (FLC) aircraft stating “recorded run” indicates automated flight inspections are in progress. Such inspections necessitate the full length of the runway (including protection of any critical areas) and require the entire procedure to be flown, up to and including the missed approach as needed. Any interruption of a recorded run will require the entire procedure to be reinitiated.
2. Flight plan remarks may indicate type NAVAID inspection to be accomplished, e.g., “FC OKC P.”
3. Authorized non-FAA Service Providers conducting Flight Validation activities use the call sign “FLIGHT VAL.” Although these activities are similar to Flight Inspection activities, no additional priority is granted with this call sign.

9-1-3. FLIGHT CHECK AIRCRAFT

Provide special handling, as required, to expedite flight inspection of NAVAIDs and RADAR by flight check aircraft.

NOTE-

Certain flight inspection maneuvers require operations in close proximity to the surface. These maneuvers can only be performed during daylight visual meteorological conditions. Preplanned automatic flight places the following limitations on the capability of the pilot to adhere to normal ATC clearances:
1.Route of flight - orbital from 6 nautical miles to a maximum of 40 nautical miles from the facility depending on the type of inspection. During commissioning flight checks all SIDs, STARs, airways, DME fixes, and approaches must be flown.
2.Altitude assignment - from 1,000 feet above the antenna site up to the minimum en route altitude (MEA).

REFERENCE-

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
FAA Order 8240.41, Flight Inspection/Air Traffic On‐Site Coordination Requirements, Appendix 1, describes certain flight inspection maneuvers in detail.
Avoid changes in the route or altitude from that filed by the pilot in the initial flight plan.
Do not impose air traffic control delays in the flight except to preclude emergency situations.
Do not change the previously assigned discrete beacon code of special radar accuracy flight check aircraft.

REFERENCE-

FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 7-1-2, Special Radar Accuracy Checks.
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 10-5-4, ASR Performance Checks.