What does unserviceable mean?

[DarinFred]

A0285/07 (08/015) - /OKW/ TACAN UNSERVICEABLE WIE UNTIL UFN

What does "unserviceable" mean in this context? Can I not use it?

Let's say an ILS is "unserviceable". I call the tower and they say it's actually up and running. It's VMC and I fly the ILS. I intercept the glideslope at the glideslope intercept altitude and the approach goes fine. Is there anything illegal about doing this? I've looked everywhere with no joy. Would approach clear me for an approach that was not working correctly? If you have references, please send them my way. Thanks!

 

[teabag]

UFN... You have been notified

 

[AvroJockey]

A0285/07 (08/015) - /OKW/ TACAN UNSERVICEABLE WIE UNTIL UFN

What does "unserviceable" mean in this context? Can I not use it?

Let's say an ILS is "unserviceable". I call the tower and they say it's actually up and running. It's VMC and I fly the ILS. I intercept the glideslope at the glideslope intercept altitude and the approach goes fine. Is there anything illegal about doing this? I've looked everywhere with no joy. Would approach clear me for an approach that was not working correctly? If you have references, please send them my way. Thanks!

Unserviceable is synonomis with Inoperative.

However at the end of the NOTAM you'll see UFN. As teabag humorously pointed out, this means Until Further Notice...Well, you would have been notified at this point if the tower told you. However, for preflight planning you would have to assume the ILS was INOP unless you had info telling you otherwise.

BTW...You'll sometimes see "U/S" instead of "Unserviceable" on international NOTAMS

 

[erj-145mech]

The TACAN is not working. Do you use TACAN? It doesn't mention the ILS. ILS does not use TACAN.

 

[PulluP]

"Unserviceable" ==> "Unable to return item into service" - because it does not meet minimum 'service' (or usable working) requirements.

The item may be powered and producing readings or results, but you cannot rely on its usage; like maps or other charts with 'not suitable for navigation' printed on them.

 

[Sluggo_63]

The TACAN is not working. Do you use TACAN? It doesn't mention the ILS. ILS does not use TACAN.

First, I think it was two separate questions. What does TACAN UNSERVICEABLE mean. Then another wondering if the ILS is unserviceable, can he fly it VMC.

Second, looking at his profile, since he's either a T-37 or T-38 FAIP, he does use TACANs. In the T-37 for DME, and in the T-38 for navigation. Now that I think about it, he's probably in a T-38C, so who knows what they use, the old B models just had a TACAN and ILS.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost sure if you are flying off a VORTAC (not VOR/DME) if the TACAN is OTS, then you won't be getting the DME portion. Otherwise it would say TACAN AZMTH OTS or TACAN DME OTS.

 

[Sluggo_63]

A0285/07 (08/015) - /OKW/ TACAN UNSERVICEABLE WIE UNTIL UFN

What does "unserviceable" mean in this context? Can I not use it?

Let's say an ILS is "unserviceable". I call the tower and they say it's actually up and running. It's VMC and I fly the ILS. I intercept the glideslope at the glideslope intercept altitude and the approach goes fine. Is there anything illegal about doing this? I've looked everywhere with no joy. Would approach clear me for an approach that was not working correctly? If you have references, please send them my way. Thanks!

Nothing illegal about this. Especially VMC. Approach shouldn't clear you for the ILS approach if it's OTS, and tower notified you that it's up and running (there's the further notice in the UFN).