scope:

PREFACE

Instrument flight procedures based on conventional ground-based navigation aids have always necessitated a high level of quality control. However, with the implementation of area navigation and associated airborne database navigation systems, even small errors in data could lead to catastrophic results. This significant change in data quality requirements (accuracy, resolution and integrity) has led to the requirement for a systemic quality assurance process (often part of a State Safety Management System). The Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (PANS-OPS, Doc 8168), Volume II, Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 4, Quality Assurance, refers to this manual and requires that the State take measures to "control" the quality of the processes associated with the construction of instrument flight procedures. This manual aims to provide guidance in attaining these stringent requirements. As detailed below all six volumes of this manual address crucial areas related to the attainment, maintenance and continual improvement of procedure design quality and flight validation (FV). Data quality management, procedure designer training, and validation of software are all integral elements of a quality assurance system.

Volume 1 - Flight Procedure Design Quality Assurance System provides guidance for quality assurance in the procedure design processes, such as procedure design documentation, verification and validation methods and guidelines about the acquisition/processing of source information/data. It also provides a generic process flow diagram for the design and implementation of flight procedures.

Volume 2 - Flight Procedure Designer Training (Development of a Flight Procedure Designer Training Programme) provides guidance for the establishment of flight procedure designer training. Training is the starting point for any quality assurance programme. This volume provides guidance for the establishment of a training programme.

Volume 3 - Flight Procedure Design Software Validation provides guidance for the validation (not certification) of procedure design tools, notably with regard to criteria.

Volume 4 - Flight Procedure Design Construction (to be developed).

Volume 5 - Validation of Instrument Flight Procedures provides guidance for conducting validation of instrument flight procedures, including safety, flyability and design accuracy.

Volume 6 - Flight Validation Pilot Training and Evaluation (Development of Flight Validation Pilot Training Programme) provides guidance for the establishment of flight procedure validation pilot training. Training is the starting point for any quality assurance system. This volume provides guidance for the establishment of a training programme.