BER areal view
BER areal view

Survey flights

in the night of 27 to 28 January

Published: 22 January 2024, 14:00
Updated: 26 January 2024, 11:44

++Update++

Survey flights carried out by German Air Traffic Control (DFS) have been announced for the night of 27-28 January on BER’s southern runway. A rather quiet, twin-engine propeller Beechcraft Super King Air 350 aircraft will be used. Survey flight aircraft take off and land in a westerly direction, frequently flying over certain regions in succession and at low altitude. The aircraft avoid flying over built-up areas provided that the specified flight profiles allow this.

The survey flights check the runway’s instrument landing system (ILS) for accuracy and error-free operation. The ILS assists the pilot in daily flight operations with navigation during the approach. This is basically done using signal transmitters on the ground that send information about the approach route and gliding angle to the aircraft’s cockpit during landing.

BER areal view

The specially equipped survey aircraft checks the precision of the signals required for safe landings. As usual, the survey flights will take place at night, as air traffic does not permit them during the day and the ILS cannot be used operationally during the flight survey. Therefore, the flights are generally exempt from night flight restrictions. Measuring the ILS at regular intervals is prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

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