How is a flight procedure designed?

Flight procedure design is a critical discipline in modern aviation. While it often goes unnoticed by the general public, every aircraft manoeuvre during take-off and landing requires meticulous aerospace engineering that adheres to international standards, ensuring flights are conducted safely.

The design process follows a technical and rigorous workflow, with thorough quality controls at every stage, due to its critical role in the aviation system. En-route structures, departures, arrivals, holding patterns, and approaches are derived from an FPD process encompassing multiple steps—from capturing operational requirements and their publication by the State, to integration into airborne systems. Consequently, the quality of FPD must be ensured, from the source of the data to its incorporation into end-user systems, including publication.

ENAIRE has developed the necessary processes to ensure, as far as possible, the quality of the information required to design instrument and visual flight procedures, as well as to create or modify airspace. This includes the management and traceability of documentation, methods for verifying and validating information, and guidelines for acquiring and processing original information/data.

ENAIRE also maintains a diagram of the current process for the design and implementation of flight procedures and the modification of airspace.

The regulation establishes that the flight procedure design provider shall design, document and validate procedures, where necessary, with prior approval from the competent authority before their deployment and use. The design, documentation, and validation of flight procedures includes activities related to maintenance and periodic review.

The general steps are as follows:

Design phase

This involves defining operational requirements, collecting initial data, applying design criteria, analysing terrain and obstacles, and determining the most suitable solution(s).
User consultation phase

During this phase, the proposed solutions are made available to stakeholders for feedback. All active user consultations can be accessed via the ENAIRE Client Portal.
Ground validation phase

This phase determines, theoretically, whether the flight procedure can be carried out as planned. An example of an activity performed during ground validation is the theoretical study of communications coverage. This phase is mandatory and must always be performed.
Flight validation phase

During this phase, a validation flight of the procedure is conducted. The flight is carried out by an appropriately equipped aircraft and trained crew. ENAIRE has its own flight validation unit, enabling it to offer a fully integrated service.
Safety and environmental study phase

Once it has been ensured that the flight procedure can be carried out with the necessary technical guarantees, a safety study and an environmental study must be conducted, in accordance with the applicable regulations in each area.
Approval phase

In this phase, ENAIRE submits the necessary approval requests depending on the type of proposal, in accordance with Royal Decree 310/2022 of 3 May, which completes the legal framework for the approval of airspace changes and civil flight procedures.
ATC training phase

Before the proposal is implemented, it may be necessary for air traffic control personnel to receive specific training on it.
Publication in the AIP

Publication in the AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) Spain.

Documents for download

Flight Procedure Design Phases

Once the proposal is in service, ENAIRE has the mechanisms needed to carry out continuous maintenance and periodic review of the flight procedures, as required.

Additionally, a record-keeping system is in place to ensure proper record storage and the traceability of all activities.

How is a flight procedure designed?

Design phase

User consultation phase

Ground validation phase

Flight validation phase

Safety and environmental study phase

Approval phase

ATC training phase

Publication in the AIP

Documents for download