Wagga Wagga Airport's new $1.6 million instrument landing system (ILS) was officially commissioned today during a ceremony at the airport.
Funded largely by the Federal Government, with contributions from Airservices Australia, Wagga Wagga City Council and Regional Express (Rex), the precision approach radio navigation aid entered service in December 2010 following a seven-month construction and testing phase.
The benefits of the new ILS are three-pronged. The airport will be able to handle regular public transport services during adverse weather conditions and Rex’s Wagga Wagga-based Australian Airline Pilot Academy and other flight training organisations will use the ILS as part of their pilot training.
Thirdly, students from Airservices technical trainee school at TAFE NSW’s Riverina Institute at Wagga Wagga will also be afforded hands-on experience with the technology.
“The new ILS allows our technical trainees to gain familiarisation with the installation and layout of cabinets, cables and antennas at an operational ILS site,” Airservices Acting General Manager Technology and Asset services, Dan Galazowski said. “This will enhance the theory and practical sessions delivered at Riverina Institute of TAFE on the same equipment.”
The landing aid has already been used by the regional airlines that service the airport as well as the military, aeromedical retrieval services and flight training schools. CAPTION: The glide slope tower, a component of the new instrument landing system (ILS), at Wagga Wagga Airport.
The localiser array, a component of the new instrument landing system (ILS), at Wagga Wagga Airport.
The glide slope tower, a component of the new instrument landing system (ILS), at Wagga Wagga Airport.
