ILS / Crosswing landing?

Question

Is it possible to do a crosswind & ILS (auto approach where the plane aligns itself)? Can the plane point into the wind and still align itself - hope this sin't too confusing. You know what I mean

Answer 1

I think you have a misunderstanding of what a ILS REALLY is.

The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a ground-based instrument approach system which provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during Instrument meteorological conditions  such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow.

Basically there are things that guide you to the runway like the Markers. (MM,IM,OM) Localizer  and glide slope.

A localizer (LOC, or LLZ in Europe) antenna array is normally located beyond the departure end of the runway and generally consists of several pairs of directional antennas

Decision Altitude/Height-At this point, the pilot must have the runway or its approach lights in sight to continue the approach.

But no to give you a whole lesson. Yes the plane will align its self no matter what the wind conditions are.

Auto land is a whole different thing, and requires different training Etc etc.

Answer 2

Wow.

Answer 3

Yes it is possible. In Auto ILS mode the aircraft will always be correctly  aligned regardless of the cross wind component. Only the elctronics will have to work harder to ensure the correct glide slope and path are maintained throughout the approach. Good intelligent question.

Answer 4

Yes, if you use enough differential thrust.

Answer 5

As far as I'm aware, it SHOULD be...

If you are referring to flying the ILS on autopilot, then it will basically be chasing the localiser regardless of wind - so if it lines up straight and say, a left crosswind starts pushing it, the localiser will shift and the plane will be turned back towards it (and into wind) to correct...so yes.

However I would imagine it would depend on the strength of the wind and if it is gusting, it will naturally be a lot harder to hold localiser (that said, holding the localiser manually in a gusting crosswind is difficult enough anyway!)

I don't want to be a smarta** but just wanted to help you with understanding the ILS...

From what you say above, I think - and this is think - that you regard the ILS as being an "auto approach".

The ILS stands for "Instrument Landing System" and basically, it is a crosshair shaped instrument in the cockpit.

The crosshair is made up of two moving sliders - a vertical and horizontal. When it is central - the plane is on target for the runway. When either move, they indicate which way the plane must move to get back on track (e.g. descend faster, move left, etc)

When tuned to a radio navaid on the ground that provides a horizontal (glideslope) and vertical (localiser) beam, the ILS then aligns it's own sliders (the two above) with what the beam is "saying" - to tell the pilot how far off the runway he is.

Basically, the pilot has to centre both and then hold it!

So this approach can be flown in a crosswind - it just takes more work.

Also, on larger aircraft, it can be coupled to an autopilot - which will fly the approach down to a nominal height - usually 50 feet (as I'm aware).

So the short answer is yes, an ILS approach can be flown in crosswind! The nose of the plane is irrelevant for the approach - the approach measures where the plane itself is in relation to the runway. If the nose is crabbing into wind to counter crosswind, the ILS will still be accurate.

Answer 6

Auto land is not ILS. On auto land the aircraft will not align itself in a crosswind. The pilot has to disengage and perform a "kick out" maneuver.

Answer 7

Autoland systems will tolerate and adjust for crosswinds up to a certain limit.  Beyond that, the landing must be carried out by hand.  The exact limit depends on the system.

Answer 8

Comair is right. I think you have a misunderstanding. I thought we went over this before? ILS= Instrument Landing System. It's used in many aircraft. From Cessna 152s to A380s. Most ILS approaches in small planes are done manually using the instrument. In a lot of airliners they have to ability to fly the ILS by computer. Auto land is a separate feature. If you were to try to auto land the planes using ILS you would crash right ino the ILS box (orange and white checkered) at the end of the runway. The box transmits a signal. It's bascially an invisible extended centerline of the runway.