ILS clearance question

[Wooly]

Every once in a "blue moon" I'll be getting vectors for an ILS for which I know that the GS is OTS by the notams but yet the controller will say "cleared for the ILS 18 GS OTS". I was under the distinct impression that when you have no GS, then it becomes a LOC approach...? or does it have to do with some approach plates having "ILS 18" at the top or "ILS or LOC 18" which makes the difference. Anyone??? please explain. Thanks.

 

[DC8 Flyer]

You will be cleared for whatever the name of the approach is. Like you stated, it depends on what is on top of the plate.

 

[Wooly]

Then if the GS is OTS does it not become a LOC approach? So if you are cleared for the ILS 18 and halfway through the GS craps out wouldn't it become a LOC approach?

 

[Wooly]

Not all controllers are pilots and have no idea what is on the top of my approach plate unless they have a copy in the tower, so why not say cleared for the LOC approach instead of cleared for the ILS 18 GS OTS. Is there a specific reg in the controllers handbook that states why?

 

[gkrangers]

Because its not a localizer approach.

The approach is an ILS approach no matter what. If the GS is OTS, then the controller will still clear you for the ILS approach, but its the pilots responsibility to fly it localizer only.

 

[stupidpilot]

Because its not a localizer approach.

The approach is an ILS approach no matter what. If the GS is OTS, then the controller will still clear you for the ILS approach, but its the pilots responsibility to fly it localizer only.

That is correct. He must state the exact name of the approach as it appears on the approach plate. If the was an approach plate that said LOC 18L then you would have been given that approach.

 

[Vanguard]

Controllers vector you for an approach. He does not care what mins you are going too!

 

[Kream926]

a little off topic...

does anyone know how they got the nickname "plates" instead of just chart?

 

[Donsa320]

a little off topic...

does anyone know how they got the nickname "plates" instead of just chart?

Probably because the old charts were big as dinner plates. Three looseleaf binders the size that you probably used in grade school could hold the entire Lower 48 states published approaches in the early 1950s. One book had all the non-precision approaches East of the Mississippi, another all West of the Mississippi, and the third had all the ILS's in the entire USA.

If you watch "The High and the Mighty" movie (1954) you will see them get out the ILS or Low Frequency Range approach chart to SFO. It is the old big style. I cannot recall if he calls it a chart or a plate in the film. We used both the terms in those days. BTW, he does what we did in those days, looked it over, memorized it and put it away. Kinda unbelievable.

 

[Say Again Over]

Not all controllers are pilots and have no idea what is on the top of my approach plate

Not quite true, active controllers can correct me if I am wrong, as a controller (pilot or not) qualified in that position, he or she must have taken a very comprehensive test which includes such things as memorizing everything within 30 miles of the main bang, all approaches, SID's, STARS had to be completely memorized so they can spew them out to pilots that might not have them , MVA's, approach minimums, runway dimensions, etc., etc.