Flight Check Aircraft

AIM ¶ 4-3-25 — Flight Check Aircraft

AIM 4-3-25 explains FAA 'Flight Check' aircraft inspecting NAVAIDs in terminal areas. Learn flight patterns, pilot duties, and ATC handling for your checkride.

In Plain English

Flight Check is the call sign used by FAA aircraft performing flight inspection and certification of NAVAIDs (like ILS, VOR, DME) and instrument flight procedures. When you hear this call sign, it signals that the aircraft is doing precision work that requires uninterrupted data collection.

Flight check aircraft fly preplanned patterns that may look unusual or conflict with normal traffic flow, including:

Grids at high or low altitudes
Orbits around a NAVAID
DME arcs
Tracks along specific radials or courses
Low passes along the full length of the runway to verify NAVAID performance

What this means for you as a pilot:

Be especially watchful for these aircraft and avoid their flight paths.
Expect ATC to give them special handling — you may be vectored, delayed, or asked to hold short.
Cooperating patiently helps the FAA avoid costly, repetitive runs and reduces taxpayer expense.

Note that AIM guidance is informational, but situational awareness around flight check operations is a practical airmanship expectation.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-3-25

Flight check is a call sign used to alert pilots and air traffic controllers when a FAA aircraft is engaged in flight inspection/certification of NAVAIDs and flight procedures. Flight check aircraft fly preplanned high/low altitude flight patterns such as grids, orbits, DME arcs, and tracks, including low passes along the full length of the runway to verify NAVAID performance. Pilots should be especially watchful and avoid the flight paths of any aircraft using the call sign “Flight Check.” These flights will normally receive special handling from ATC. Pilot patience and cooperation in allowing uninterrupted recordings can significantly help expedite flight inspections, minimize costly, repetitive runs, and reduce the burden on the U.S. taxpayer.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What does the call sign 'Flight Check' indicate?

Per AIM 4-3-25, 'Flight Check' is a call sign used to alert pilots and ATC that an FAA aircraft is engaged in flight inspection or certification of NAVAIDs and flight procedures.

Q2What types of flight patterns might a Flight Check aircraft fly in a terminal area?

Per AIM 4-3-25, Flight Check aircraft fly preplanned high or low altitude patterns such as grids, orbits, DME arcs, and tracks, including low passes along the full length of the runway to verify NAVAID performance.

Q3What is expected of pilots when a Flight Check aircraft is operating nearby?

Per AIM 4-3-25, pilots should be especially watchful and avoid the flight paths of Flight Check aircraft. These flights normally receive special handling from ATC, and pilot patience and cooperation help expedite inspections and avoid costly repetitive runs.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4

¶ 4-3-1

Airport Operations Safety

¶ 4-3-10

Intersection Takeoffs

¶ 4-3-11

LAHSO Pilot Responsibilities

¶ 4-3-12

Low Approach Procedures

¶ 4-3-13

ATC Light Gun Signals

¶ 4-3-14