VINCENT Aviation is due to conduct a "proving flight" on the Narrabri-Sydney route this afternoon under the watchful eye of the national safety regulator.
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The results of the test flight will determine whether the airline can commence services between the two destinations next Wednesday as planned.
The Northern Territory-based airline will be subject to a complete dress rehearsal, including simulated emergency scenarios, on the return flight.
Assessors from the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) will be onboard to oversee the flight and assess the pilots and cabin and ground crews.
If CASA deems Vincent Aviation has passed the test, the airline will be cleared to start flying the route vacated when Brindabella Airlines collapsed late last year.
But should any shortcomings be identified, the airline could be in a race against time to rectify them to CASA's satisfaction by Wednesday.
A CASA spokesman told The Leader the proving flight was the final stage of a lengthy approval process designed to ensure the airline could fulfil all its requirements.
