What is the primary purpose of the ILS?

The primary purpose of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) is to provide a safe landing approach. This system assists pilots in navigating their aircraft during the critical phase of landing, especially in low visibility conditions such as fog or heavy rain. The ILS utilizes a combination of radio signals and, in some cases, high-precision guidance to ensure that aircraft can be accurately aligned with the runway and safely descend to the ground.

This system enhances safety by guiding pilots along a defined approach path, minimizing the chances of errors during landing, which is one of the most challenging phases of flight. The precise azimuth and glide slope information provided by the ILS enable pilots to maintain the correct approach angle and lateral alignment with the runway, thus ensuring smoother and safer landings.