Have you ever flown an ILS approach and had the localizer or glideslope jump back-and-forth erratically? Here’s why it happens, and what you can do about it.
Airline Crew Report: Missed Approach In Newark
The following NASA ASRS report was written by an airline crew descending on final approach into the Newark International Airport (KEWR). At what point would you have initiated a missed approach in the scenario described below?
While being vectored for the 22L approach at EWR airport we were cleared for the approach. While initially getting a good signal from the ILS, it became unreliable and unreadable. We were told by New York approach to contact Newark Tower. When we contacted the Tower we were told that we were right of course and just a few minutes we were told that the Tower had received a low altitude warning and were told to execute a missed approach. We executed the missed approach and contacted New York Departure then were vectored for another approach.
Unreliable Signals: Traffic, Terrain, And Your Antennas
Aircraft and vehicles operating near ILS antennas can disrupt the signal’s integrity, causing unreliable approach guidance.
To help prevent the problem, some airports have ILS critical areas. When the ceilings are 800 feet or less and the visibility is under 2 miles, you can expect ATC at tower controlled airports to direct you to hold short of the ILS critical area. But keep in mind, many airports don’t have ILS critical areas…