satisfactory and continues to support instrument flight procedures. This inspection has
the highest priority of all flight inspection activities.
Shipboard TACAN inspections are considered completed at the termination of the
inspection and are reported as a special inspection.
Surveillance
A surveillance inspection is a flight inspection done on a commissioned system or
procedure to determine if the parameters inspected meet standards. An out-of-tolerance
condition found on a surveillance inspection shall require a special flight inspection and
a flight inspection report.
Controllers Involved in Flight Inspections
Air traffic controllers play a vital role in the flight inspection process. Managers ensure
the controllers who will take part in a flight inspection are thoroughly familiar with the
process.
Prior to the Flight Inspection
Before the flight inspection of a system, the controllers concerned should be briefed and
familiar with the flight inspection objectives. They should participate in the initial
meetings before the inspection where scope operation, target interpretation, and other
techniques are mutually agreed upon. The inspector shall brief controllers concerning
the areas and altitudes to be flown and of possible transmitter changes.
Controller Evaluation
During flight inspections, qualified personnel should be assigned to control positions.
Qualified controllers reduce the potential for control errors and assist the flight
inspection team in evaluating the true performance of a system.
RADAR Flight Inspections
The controller plays an active role in the flight inspection of surveillance (primary)
RADAR and Air Traffic Control RADAR Beacon System (ATCRBS) (secondary RADAR)
by evaluating the usability (strength) of aircraft target returns on the RADAR display.
Target Strength
Primary RADAR return varies in strength due to atmospheric conditions, target range,
RADAR cross section, aircraft reflective surfaces, and other phenomena. As with
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