How long

28.10.2004

Submission:

I am a pilot, and I have a quick question. How long does it normally take to design, gain approval for, and then implement an instrument approach, Standard Instrument Departure or arrival procedure in Europe?


Ed Faciszewski

Answer or Commentary:

(I.W.

Firstly there is the on-site visit to the airport where the following data is obtained.

1. The availability of any charts (topographical or otherwise)

2. Relevant terrain information

3. The existence and position of noise sensitive areas

4. The existence and position of environmentally sensitive areas

5. Air traffic control restrictions or any specific required routing instructions

6. The existence and position of any special air space restrictions

7. Speed or climb-out restrictions

8. The type of aircraft for which the procedure will be designed

9. Any airport specific operational parameters

This usually takes about 2 days.

Then all the terrain, nav-aids, runways etc. need to be entered into the computer. This takes about 2-3 weeks.

The actual procedure design and supporting documentation takes about 3 weeks.

An aeronautical procedure chart is created which can take up to a week if it is a new procedure.

The procedure then has to be checked by the relevant Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This could take any where between 3 weeks to 3 months depending on the CAA's departments work load.

Then the procedure is flight checked which takes only 1 day but is dependent on the availability of the flight checking unit, usually 1 to 2 months.

Finally the procedure needs to be entered into the AIP which depends on the date of the next AIRAC cycle.

So all together to get a new IFR procedure from zero to being flown can take any where from 3 1/2 to 7 months.)