The History of Flight Inspection in Chile
Flight Inspection in Chile is performed by DGCA (Civil Aviation General
Directorate), a Government Agency responsible for establishing aviation
regulations and ensuring their compliance. As such, Chile is representative
to the ICAO. Flight Inspection activities, as organized activity, started
back in 1960 when DGCA, by that time being part of the Chilean Air Force,
commissioned two Pilots Officers and two Technician Officers to Oklahoma,
to the CAA (current FAA) Academy, to be qualified as Flight Inspection
specialist.
Back in Chile, this first Flight Inspection crew begins their work using
a purchased in USA in 1961,specially equipped to that purpose with a FAA
standard ink printing type console. This aircraft would serve the Flight
Inspection tasks until 1965.
During 1964 a second aircraft is received for Flight Inspection activities.
This one was a Douglas DC-3, equipped with a FAA standard, Century thermographic
type console. This aircraft was in normal operation until 1982, used for
flight inspection and some other light transport operations.
Chile is a very long and narrow country, with a variety of different
landscapes and climates. Desertic type of land up in the northern territory,
cold, windy and normally overcast in the southern region, that makes air
navigation and its control very difficult. For that reason, a vast radio
Navaids network is required what imposes to flight inspection activities
a heavy responsibility. DGCA recognized that and, in 1970, decided to
create the Flight Inspection Section, as part of Operations Directorate,
taking the responsibility of flight inspect the whole network of radio
Navaids, radar, communications and associated systems, being the only
agency in country with the authority to inspect and commission these facilities.
In 1976, a new aircraft is added to the small flight inspection fleet.
This time was a Beech King Air was, equipped with a UNACE type console.
This aircraft is still operational. With this new acquisition, the necessity
of a ground laboratory to inspect, maintain and calibrate the electronic
equipment is considered essential to the mission and an Electronic Laboratory
is built and fully equipped to support the Flight Inspection activities.
In 1981, a Piper Seminole PA-44, twin engine, with a Sierra portable
console, is added to the fleet, with specific purpose to serve the flight
inspection activities in Eastern island, a Chilean possession about 3000
miles away from the Continent in the South Pacific. This small aircraft
is based in Mataveri International Airport in Eastern Island, where a
DGAC specialist travels every time a flight inspection activity is scheduled.
In 1982, a Beech King Air 200 CT is added to the fleet equipped with
a Sierra Research type of console.
In 1991, DGAC purchases a CITATION II with a SIERRA Research Console
Model 8107, digital technology.
In 1995 and 1997, DGAC Flight Inspection Department performs some flight
inspection work for Ecuador and Bolivia which is performed periodically
thereafter. In Ecuador, DGAC inspects and commissions an ILS CAT I, and
in Bolivia is a VOR Doppler.
In 1997, DFGAC purchases a semi-automatic console RVA Microfis with the
last technology, designed for working with GPS and with provisions for
DGPS. This is a very light, easy to install and to integrate with existing
on board equipment and of course complies with FAA and worldwide established
standards.