FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
A pilot is flying an ILS approach and experiences a glideslope failure after passing the Final Approach Fix (FAF) but before reaching the Decision Altitude (DA). What action should the pilot take?
- AExecute the published missed approach procedure immediately.
- BContinue the approach as a Localizer-only approach to the Localizer Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
- CContinue the approach to the DA using localizer guidance only.
- DRequest a vector to another approach from ATC.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Continue the approach as a Localizer-only approach to the Localizer Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
If the glideslope fails during an ILS approach, the approach reverts to a nonprecision localizer-only approach. The pilot should continue on the localizer to the Localizer MDA.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Executing a missed approach is not immediately required if a valid nonprecision approach can be flown.
- C. Continuing to DA is only valid if the glideslope remains operational for a precision approach.
- D. Requesting a new approach is an option, but the immediate action is to transition to the localizer approach.
ILS Glideslope Failure
If the glideslope fails during an ILS approach, the approach automatically reverts to a nonprecision localizer-only approach.
- Glideslope failure changes approach type.
- Pilot must use Localizer-only minimums.
- Descent to MDA, not DA, is required.
- Must notify ATC of the change.
Memory trick: Glideslope gone? Go for the localizer alone!