REPORT

Submitted by:
Kiran V Mahesh
Lakshmi Das O D
Lakshmi Govind
Linet Dominic
Liya Wilson C A
 INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM

Instrument landing system or blind landing system consists of tele-

communication aids to the pilot to enable him to approach the runway
and make a successful landing even under poor visibility conditions.
ILS consists of 3 components
a) Localizer antenna
b) Glide slope antenna
c) Outer and middle marker

COMPONENTS
a) Localizer Antenna
• A radio transmitter of very high frequency omni-directional
range (VOR)
• Emits radio beam signals in vertical plane
• Indicates to the pilot whether he is to the left or right of the correct
alignment for approach to the runway
• Located along the extended centre line of runway
b) Glide slope antenna
• Also, a radio transmitter of very high frequency omni-directional
range (VOR)
• Emits radio beam signals at an angle of 2˚ to 3˚ from the
horizontal
• Indicates to the pilot the correct angle of descent or approach to
the runway
c) Outer and middle markers
• Small radio transmitters which serve as position reporting points
• As pilot passes over the marker, he finds a visual indication in the
cockpit and receives a high-pitched steady tone through his
earphone
• Outer marker –located 7 km ahead of runway threshold – purple
indication
• Middle marker - located 1 km ahead of runway threshold – amber
indication
WORKING OF ILS
Step 1
Each aircraft is brought to holding point by means of enroute aids
where it is taken over by control tower.
If two or more aircrafts reach holding point simultaneously, they
are detained by control tower.
They are directed to keep moving round in space with a vertical
separation of atleast 300m (refer fig).
Every two minutes the control tower directs the aircraft at the
bottom of the stack to move out for final approach to the airport.
Simultaneously other aircrafts in the stack are instructed to
descend to the next lower level and keep moving round.
Step 2
As aircraft slides out from the bottom position, it is picked up by
localizer.
Localizer antenna provides alignment guidance.
Glide slope antenna provides guidance for angle of approach.
Step 3
As aircraft passes over outer and middle markers, pilot receives a
high-pitched steady tone and also finds visual indication in cockpit.
Step 4
As aircraft crosses over the middle marker, pilot changes over
from instrumental to visual flight system (IFR to VFR).
Now the approach and runway lighting assist the pilot in visual
landing.

LIMITATIONS OF ILS
Following are the limitations of the ILS:
(a) The abrupt changes of slope in the proximity of the antennas are
not allowed. Otherwise, the radio beam signals will be distorted.
(b) The close proximity of moving objects such as vehicular and
aircraft traffic as well as the stationary objects can affect the
functioning of the localizer and glide slope facility.
(c) The ILS is based on the signals reflecting from the surface of the
ground. Hence, the area adjacent to the antennas must be relatively
smooth and kept clear of obstructions such as buildings, taxiing
aircraft, etc.
(d) The ILS provides only one path in space which all the aircraft
must follow, if they are using the system. The ILS is therefore not
useful for some of the modern aircraft using a steeper approach angle
of about 7° or making a two-segment approach to reduce the noise
beneath the flight path.