Diamond Aircraft and Safran Electronics and Defense have collaborated to produce the CARNAC XS modular flight inspection system (FIS) into Diamond's special mission aircraft, the DA62 MPP.

CARNAC XS is the smallest FIS system in its range, and enables the calibration of all types of beacons (VOR, ILS, VDF, Marker, DME, NDB and TACAN), validation of PBN/RNAV procedures and approaches as well as measurement of the coverage of V/UHF radios, secondary radars (A/C and S modes) and the ADS-B system.

The extra compact FIS module is located in the mission equipment compartment of the DA62, right behind the operator seat, and is wired up to the mission power panel and the dedicated antenna connection panel. This modular design and the pre-installed antennas enable a configuration change from e.g. ISR to FIS in less than a day. The operator laptop, directly connected to the CARNAC XS, allows real time analyses of the measurements taken by the calibration bench and the pilot tablet allows a live monitoring of the flight relevant data. With additional radios and audio panels, the operator has all the capabilities to ensure safe communication on board and, at the same time, direct connection to the ground crew.

The expected delivery will be in the upcoming weeks to long term Diamond Aircraft Distributor and Special Mission Aircraft operator Asian Aerospace Services in Bangkok, Thailand. Once operational, the aircraft will be available for demonstration to future Diamond Aircraft MPP operators in south east Asia.

The DA62 MPP is the latest variant of Diamond Aircraft's successful Special Mission Aircraft portfolio. The all-carbon-fibre, twin-engine aircraft is equipped with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and a fully integrated autopilot. It is powered by two turbocharged jet fuel engines which enable the aircraft to stay airborne for up to eight hours due to their superb fuel efficiency. The carbon fibre material provides for unlimited airframe life and is not subject to corrosion, even when operated in saline and humid environments.

Every member state of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) is obliged to inspect and calibrate periodically their navigational aids and instrument landing systems to guarantee aviation safety under any weather conditions. These complex missions require qualified pilots trained to conduct many manoeuvres at low altitude within air traffic, and an aircraft equipped with a FIS system to ensure precise measurements and analyses by flight inspectors.