What is the role of a TERPS specialist in instrument procedure development?

The role of a TERPS (Terminal Instrument Procedures) specialist in instrument procedure development primarily involves calculating obstacle clearances. This is a crucial aspect of their responsibilities, as TERPS specialists ensure that instrument approach procedures meet the necessary safety standards by accounting for terrain and obstacles that may pose risks during flight operations. By accurately determining obstacle clearances, they help create safe routes for aircraft, enabling pilots to navigate safely in various weather conditions without inadvertently colliding with obstacles.

While other choices pertain to important aspects of aviation safety and operations, they do not directly involve the specialized calculations that TERPS specialists perform. Designing flight plans typically falls under the purview of flight planners or air traffic controllers, ensuring efficient and safe routing based on air traffic and airspace considerations. Ensuring pilot training is a function more related to flight schools and regulatory bodies, focusing on preparing pilots to handle various flight scenarios rather than developing specific instrument procedures. Reviewing equipment performance, while important, involves assessing the functionality of avionics and other equipment but does not specifically cover the calculation of obstacle clearances for instrument approaches.