Instrument Flight Procedure Design

Instrument flight procedures are a vital part of airport and airspace infrastructure, contributing to safety, efficiency and systemisation of aviation operations and are especially important for meeting the demands of increasing traffic growth.

NATS Procedure Design is a UK CAA Approved Procedure Design Organisation with a proven track record of successful design implementations for both domestic and international clients. We are experts in procedure design: from feasibility and initial conception; working collaboratively with airspace designers, ATC and consultants on specific design features; to the maintenance and safeguarding of existing procedures in an ever-changing regulatory and obstacle environment.

Instrument Flight Procedures - Intelligently designed for effective airspace

Procedure design is a complex task requiring a highly skilled team of experts able to work creatively within the confines of ICAO and local regulation. The NATS team have a wealth of experience between them and have successfully delivered a broad range of innovative solutions.

Our UK customers range from small single-operator aerodromes with specific niche needs to large international airports developing systemisation and capacity enhancements through airspace changes.

We provide the procedure design expertise into major NATS Enroute Ltd. projects such as DVOR rationalisation, SAIP and the Western Airspace Deployment and we have experience delivering work to both military and civilian customers as well as developers and planning authorities.

• New Designs. We will work closely with customers, airspace designers and other stakeholders to create new designs, whether that is part of a larger ACP or a discrete individual project. We have particular skill in the introduction of PBN procedures.
• Periodic Review. Published procedures are required to be periodically reviewed and updated by qualified procedure designers to mitigate changes in criteria, technology, and environment over time. We review your procedures in line with current regulation, your ongoing needs and update procedure minima to be compatible with your latest obstacle environment survey.
• Obstacle Safeguarding. Between Periodic Reviews IFPs require safeguarding against developments and planning applications. These can range from a simple telecoms mast to an entire windfarm or major building project. NATS can provide an assured IFP safeguarding service for aerodromes to quantify any impact and help you make informed decisions about future developments.