Design Visual And Instrument Flight Procedures Training

Objectives:
• Understand the regulatory framework for flight procedure design in South Africa
• Identify key stakeholders and their roles in procedure design
• Define basic terminology used in visual and instrument flight procedures
• Recognize the importance of safety and efficiency in procedure design

Topics:
• Overview of ICAO and SA-CAA regulations
• Roles of procedure designers, air traffic control, and pilots
• Basic terminology: waypoints, fixes, legs, segments
• Principles of safety, efficiency, and environmental considerations
• Introduction to the design process lifecycle

Objectives:
• Interpret aeronautical charts and their symbols
• Describe the function and limitations of various navigation aids
• Apply chart reading skills to identify airspace and obstacles
• Understand the coordinate systems used in procedure design

Topics:
• Types of aeronautical charts: IFR, VFR, SID, STAR, approach plates
• Navigation aids: VOR, DME, NDB, ILS, GPS
• Chart symbols, scales, and projections
• Latitude/longitude and grid coordinates
• Obstacle identification and charting

Objectives:
• Identify obstacles and terrain features relevant to procedure design
• Apply obstacle clearance criteria for visual and instrument procedures
• Use digital elevation models and obstacle databases
• Calculate minimum obstacle clearance altitudes

Topics:
• Sources of obstacle data: surveys, databases, charts
• Obstacle clearance surfaces and gradients
• Terrain awareness and warning systems
• Introduction to PANS-OPS obstacle assessment surfaces
• Practical exercise: identify obstacles for a sample airport

Objectives:
• Explain the principles of instrument flight procedure design per PANS-OPS
• Differentiate between conventional and RNAV procedures
• Design basic en-route segments
• Apply turn protection and flyability considerations

Topics:
• PANS-OPS design criteria overview
• Conventional vs. RNAV navigation specifications
• En-route segment design: straight, turning, and holding
• Turn protection: radius, bank angle, and wind effects
• Flyability and pilot workload considerations

Objectives:
• Design a basic SID procedure
• Apply obstacle clearance criteria for departure
• Determine minimum climb gradients
• Ensure compatibility with airspace structure

Topics:
• SID design criteria and types (pilot-nav, radar, RNAV)
• Obstacle clearance for departures
• Climb gradients and acceleration segments
• SID coding and charting conventions
• Practical exercise: design a SID for a sample airport

Objectives:
• Design a basic STAR procedure
• Apply descent planning and altitude constraints
• Integrate STARs with holding patterns and approach transitions
• Ensure smooth flow from en-route to approach

Topics:
• STAR design criteria and types
• Descent planning: speed and altitude constraints
• Holding patterns: design and placement
• Approach transitions: feeder routes and initial approach fixes
• Practical exercise: design a STAR for a sample airport

Objectives:
• Design a non-precision approach (NPA) procedure
• Apply obstacle clearance criteria for final approach segments
• Determine minimum descent altitude (MDA)
• Understand circling approach criteria

Topics:
• NPA types: VOR, NDB, GPS, LOC
• Final approach segment design: descent gradient, stepdown fixes
• Obstacle clearance for final and missed approach
• Circling approach: visibility and ceiling requirements
• Practical exercise: design an NPA for a sample airport

Objectives:
• Design an ILS approach procedure
• Apply precision approach obstacle clearance surfaces
• Determine decision altitude (DA) and visibility minima
• Understand ILS critical areas and siting criteria

Topics:
• ILS components and categories
• Precision approach terrain clearance (PATC) surfaces
• Obstacle assessment for ILS: OAS, OCA/H
• ILS critical and sensitive areas
• Practical exercise: design an ILS approach for a sample airport

Objectives:
• Design visual flight procedures (VFPs) for VFR traffic
• Create segmented circuit patterns
• Apply visual obstacle clearance criteria
• Integrate VFPs with instrument procedures for mixed traffic

Topics:
• VFP design principles: circuit patterns, entry and exit
• Visual obstacle clearance: visual segment surfaces
• Segmented circuits: base, final, and crosswind legs
• Integration with IFR procedures: conflict avoidance
• Practical exercise: design a VFP for a sample aerodrome

Objectives:
• Design missed approach procedures for various approach types
• Apply obstacle clearance for missed approach segments
• Design holding patterns with proper entry and exit
• Ensure missed approach and holding compatibility

Topics:
• Missed approach criteria: point of initiation, climb gradient, turning
• Obstacle clearance for missed approach surfaces
• Holding pattern design: inbound leg, timing, protected airspace
• Holding pattern entry procedures and flyability
• Practical exercise: design missed approach and holding for a sample approach

Objectives:
• Design basic RNAV (GPS) procedures
• Understand Required Navigation Performance (RNP) specifications
• Apply RNP obstacle clearance criteria
• Design RNP AR (Authorization Required) approaches

Topics:
• RNAV navigation specification: RNAV 1, RNAV 2, RNP 0.3, etc.
• RNP system performance: accuracy, integrity, continuity, functionality
• RNP obstacle clearance: containment and protection areas
• RNP AR approach design: curved paths, RF legs
• Practical exercise: design an RNP approach with RF leg

Objectives:
• Design airspace structures to accommodate procedures
• Integrate multiple procedures within terminal airspace
• Assess traffic flow and capacity
• Apply airspace classification and separation minima

Topics:
• Airspace design: controlled, uncontrolled, special use
• Procedure integration: SID/STAR/approach sequencing
• Traffic flow management: arrival/departure routes
• Separation minima: lateral, vertical, longitudinal
• Practical exercise: design terminal airspace for a busy airport

Objectives:
• Apply quality assurance (QA) processes to procedure design
• Conduct validation using flight simulators or software
• Identify and correct design errors
• Document design rationale and changes

Topics:
• QA standards: ISO, ICAO, SA-CAA requirements
• Validation methods: manual calculation, simulation, flight check
• Error detection: obstacle conflicts, flyability issues, chart discrepancies
• Documentation: design records, change logs, safety assessments
• Practical exercise: validate a sample procedure and report findings

Objectives:
• Prepare procedure charts according to ICAO standards
• Understand chart layout, symbols, and text conventions
• Coordinate with AIS for publication
• Ensure chart readability and usability

Topics:
• ICAO chart specifications: Annex 4, Doc 8697
• Chart types: SID, STAR, approach, airport, VFP
• Chart elements: plan view, profile, text, minima boxes
• AIS publication process: AIP amendments, NOTAMs
• Practical exercise: create a chart for a designed procedure

Objectives:
• Design a complete set of procedures for a sample airport
• Integrate all design elements from previous days
• Present and defend design decisions
• Review key concepts and prepare for certification

Topics:
• Capstone project: SID, STAR, approach (precision/non-precision), missed approach, holding, VFP
• Integration and conflict resolution
• Presentation to peers and instructor
• Final review: common pitfalls, best practices, exam preparation
• Course evaluation and feedback