In the period from 26 to 29 September 2024, calibration flights to check the instrument landing system of runway northwest at Frankfurt Airport will be conducted. A calibration aircraft especially equipped for this purpose will check the precision of the signals, which are essential for safe landings. Both operating directions of the runway will be checked, i.e. approaches from the east as well as from the west.
The flight calibration flights will begin at night. The calibration aircraft being used is a turboprop Beechcraft Super King Air 350. Overflights of built-up areas will be avoided as far as possible and to the extent the specified flight profiles permit.
The instrument landing system provides navigational support for pilots during approach. The basic principle is that signal transmitters on the ground electronically define the approach course and glide path angle. The signals are received in the aircraft and displayed to the pilot in the cockpit. Only calibration aircraft that are specially equipped for this purpose are able to check the precision of these signals.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) prescribes the calibration of the instrument landing system at regular intervals. This is crucial for the safe, orderly and expeditious handling of air traffic at airports.
Media contact:
Kristina Kelek
Telephone: +49 (0)6103 / 707-4161
presse@dfs.de
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS), the German air navigation service provider, is a State-owned company under private law with 5,700 employees as at 30 June 2024. DFS ensures the safe and punctual flow of air traffic over Germany. Around 2,200 air traffic controllers guide more than three million flights through German airspace in peak years, up to 10,000 every day. The company operates control centres in Bremen, Karlsruhe, Langen and Munich as well as control towers at the 15 designated international airports in Germany. The subsidiary, DFS Aviation Services GmbH, markets and sells products and services related to air navigation services, and provides air traffic control at nine regional airports in Germany and at Edinburgh Airport in the United Kingdom. DFS is working on the integration of drones into air traffic and has set up a joint venture, Droniq GmbH, with Deutsche Telekom. Other subsidiaries include R. Eisenschmidt GmbH, which markets publications and products for general aviation, and Kaufbeuren ATM Training GmbH (KAT), which provides training for military air traffic services personnel. The joint venture FCS Flight Calibration Services GmbH offers flight inspection services.