Cleared for the ILS with no Glideslope

[Donsa320]

We were cleared for the ILS into Burbank one day when they had a test signal on the glide slope transmitter so it showed on glideslope no matter where you were. ATIS was garbled because of interference so we never got GS OTS but figured it out early on approach. The airliner behind us got a call of low altitude alert by the tower. They replied they were right on GS. Tower advised them it was notamed out of service. Unfortunately all they have to do is clear you for the ILS and let you figure it out.

WOW, I've had an instrument rating since 1953 and in all those years I've seen countless lapses in the NOTAM system in this country. I understand there has been a change (again) in the publishing procedures recently. Let's hope it is for the better, but... any bets on that? <grin>
Be careful out there.

DC

 

[j41driver]

Hey, thanks for the reference.

No problem...glad I could help.

 

[Say Again Over]

WOW, I've had an instrument rating since 1953 and in all those years I've seen countless lapses in the NOTAM system in this country. I understand there has been a change (again) in the publishing procedures recently. Let's hope it is for the better, but... any bets on that? <grin>
Be careful out there

Yes agree, controllers handbook aside, makes no sense to clear someone for an approach that is out of service, too bad it takes killing people before things get fixed.

 

[chickenwolf]

Thanks for the reference J41. Theres definitely no excuse for missing the NOTAM but it is nice to have a reference verifying proper controller phraseology as well, I was pretty sure they were supposed to mention GS OTS.

 

[avbug]

I don't suppose you know of a reference in a common pilot procedures manual, such as the Airman's Information Manual? Since this comes from a controller's manual, it isn't readily accesable to the pilot community. Maybe it's in the AIM and I don't know it.

Perhaps that missing reference would be AIM 5-4-6, subparagraph (d).

d. The name of an instrument approach, as published, is used to identify the approach, even though a component of the approach aid, such as the glideslope on an Instrument Landing System, is inoperative or unreliable. The controller will use the name of the approach as published, but must advise the aircraft at the time an approach clearance is issued that the inoperative or unreliable approach aid component is unusable.