THE South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (SACAA) has dismissed false reports that aviation activities in South Africa are about to come to a screeching halt.
The reports suggest that the Instrument Landing System (ILS) is expiring at some airports.
In a statement, SACAA, said ILS is a ground-based navigational instrument system that provides guidance to an aircraft approaching or landing on a runway during inclement weather that affects visibility.
“Regulated safety protocols require that when an Instrument Landing System is not functioning, or its certification had expired, the affected airport must be downgraded to a lower instrument usage level,” read the statement.
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King Shaka International Airport has been downgraded to a lower instrument eteorological usage level as a result of two ILS’s being switched-off.
“King Shaka International Airport is fully operational despite two landing systems being switched off. The airport has been downgraded and a notice to pilots has been sent out so that piolts can be fully aware of the state of the airport when they plan their flights,” said Phindiwe Gwebu, Executive Corporate Services at the SACAA.
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Other airports affected are Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, OR Tambo International Airport and George Airport.
In terms of bringing the expired ILS’s back to service, calibration will need to take place to perform the necessary adjustments to obtain the required performance accuracy.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations
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