Flight Inspection — Latest Innovation, Analysis Trends and Future Prospects – The Engineering Exchange
Flight inspection ensures periodic evaluation of navigational aids employed in aviation, such as flight procedures and electronic signal for the safety and accuracy purposes. The North America market is expected to witness good growth due to the emergence of regulatory guidelines for airport infrastructural development. Establishment of new standards is likely to create a favorable landscape for the key players of the flight inspection market.
The flight inspection market is expected to proliferate in the forecast period owing to driving factors such as the development of new airports and increasing air passenger traffic. Increasing prominence of pilot assistance and aircraft control system and stringent safety regulations for the aviation industry are further likely to propel the growth of the flight inspection.
The increase in flight inspection operations for navigational aids for routine and commissioning inspections due to the rising number of new airports and expansion of infrastructure on existing airports is anticipated to drive the flight inspection market. The major challenges that the flight inspection service providers face are mostly related to the technical aspects of flight inspection procedures. At present, adapting to the new procedure for validation & calibration of GPS enabled navigational procedures and in approach procedures for vertical guidance satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) is a challenge for the flight inspection service providers.
On the basis of end-user, the defense airports segment is projected to lead the market during the forecast period owing to the increasing number of tactical forward airbases and defense airports due to the increase in the spending on military infrastructure.
Advancements in aircraft landing safety instruments and procedures will majorly contribute towards industry growth. Airliners engage in incorporation of navigational aids to meet the standards and regulatory requirements. In October 2018, Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) signed an agreement with Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) for upgradation of ILS and air navigation systems. Additionally, integration of CAT I to CAT II ILS systems significantly reduces the aircraft diversions and delays supporting the inductry expansion.
Airport traffic authorities focus to deploy advanced inspection systems to ensure safe aviation manoeuvres boosting the flight inspection market growth. For instance, in September 2018, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced order of new generation NORMARC Nav-aids from Indra Navia. The NORMARC DME and DVOR enables manoeuvring with high precision during approach and en-route air travels at Doha International Airport. Moreover, Systems Interface Limited was awarded the contract for installation and upgradation of these ultra-wide ILS localizers.
Major participants in the flight inspection market includes Safran, Textron Inc, Norwegian Special Mission, Airfield Technology, Inc., Bombardier, Aerodata, Cobham PLC, ENAV and Saab AB. Industry players are engaging in contractual agreements with airports to enhance their market share. For instance, in May 2014, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority awarded the contract to Enav SpA for providing calibration and maintenance services to air based navigational systems. This strategy enabled the company to expand their services in Middle East.