What’s an ILS Approach? Instrument Landing Systems explained
A description of how an ILS (Instrument Landing System) works…
ILS stands for Instrument Landing System.
Ever heard of people talk about an ILS? Well this is what it is:
It is used to help provide lateral and vertical guidance to the pilots when landing an aircraft. Whilst the ILS is used for most landings, it is most useful when it is cloudy or visibility is poor, as it allows the pilots (or autopilot) to fly the aircraft all the way down to the runway, even if they only manage to see the runway in the final few seconds.
The ILS works by sending 2 beams up from the landing runway, one telling the pilots if they or high or low and the other telling them if they are left or right of the runway centreline. The ILS receiver on the aircraft measures the difference in depth of modulation (DDPM) between the signals For most ILS’s the pilots should be lined up with the runway centreline and on a 3 degree glide path, but on some ILS’s, like London City have a steeper approach of 5.5 degrees.
The radio beam signals are interpreted by the aircraft’s computer systems and relay this information to the pilots. The pilots are then able to make corrections to the aircraft’s flight path to ensure it remains inline with the runway and descends at the correct rate.
Either the autopilot can fly the approach, or it can be manually flown by the pilots. In some conditions (when it’s very foggy), only the autopilot can land the aircraft as the pilots wouldn’t have sufficient time to react if they only saw the runway at the last second.
ILS’s are categorised into 3 types. CAT I, CAT II and CAT III. A Category III approach allows the autopilot to land the aircraft itself, however a CAT I approach requires the pilot to land the aircraft.
ILS’s aren’t available at all airports, some airports have other navigation aids available to help guide the aircraft, but these are less accurate which restricts the weather in which the pilots can land.
ILS’s tend to be utilised regardless of how far away the pilots can see the runway due to their accurate guidance. They can be used to facilitate an approach and enhance the flight crews situational awareness.
ILS’s are referred to as ‘Precision Approaches’ because it guides the aircraft both vertically and laterally. Navigation aids that only provide accurate lateral guidance are called ‘Non-Precision Approaches’. These might be VOR or NDB approaches.