Aerial view of the southern runway of BER
Aerial view of the southern runway of BER

Survey flights

during the night of 26-27 July

Published: 19 July 2024, 15:15

Survey flights by German Air Traffic Control (DFS) have been announced for the night of 26 to 27 July on the southern runway of BER. A rather quiet, twin-engine Beechcraft Super King Air 350 propeller aircraft will be used for these flights, which will take off and land in a westerly direction, frequently flying over certain regions in succession and at low altitude. Overflights of towns and villages are avoided as far as the specified flight profiles allow.

During the survey flights, the runway's instrument landing system (ILS) is checked for accuracy and error-free operation. The ILS supports the pilot in daily flight operations with navigation during the approach. This is essentially done using signalling devices on the ground, which send information about the approach course and glide angle to the aircraft's cockpit during landing.

The specially equipped measuring aircraft checks the precision of the signals required for safe landings. As usual, the survey flights take place at night, as air traffic does not permit this during the day and the ILS cannot be used for operational purposes during the flight survey.

Luftbild BER © Guenter Wicker / Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH

The flights are therefore generally exempt from the night flight restrictions. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stipulates that flight inspections must be carried out at regular intervals.

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