Transponder Landing System

Nick

Nick

Well-Known Member
Has anyone ever flown an approach using TLS? (for those wondering what it is, first of all the operator needs to have permission to conduct TLS approaches). Just wondering how it went; I read about how it works and I was curious as to what airports have it since TLS approach plates are not with the rest of the approach plates.

Apparently there are now TLS approaches in WA, OR, ID, UT, CA, NV, CO, MN, WI, VA, and NJ.
 
Yes, they're not bad, although the signal is not as steady as an ILS due to it switching back and forth between vertical and azimuth signals.
 
Read about them and thought the idea was a real good one, but I have a feeling WAAS GPS approaches with vertical guidance will probably kill any chances of further development of transponder landing system implimentation.
 
Not a lot to it. It has both a vertical and horizontal sweep dish that picks up the xpdr each time, figures your direction and transmits a signal over an ILS freq accordingly. Due to the sweep, the signal interupts briefly each time, so the needles jump a bit, but are steady enough for the autopilot and FD to track it. Works pretty well, is a lot cheaper than a LAAS or ILS installation, and a lot faster to install. Also, as it is not a steady signal and can track your distance from the station, it can be designed to make curved paths, both laterally and vertically, which can be helpful for some locations.
 
John Herreshoff said:
Read about them and thought the idea was a real good one, but I have a feeling WAAS GPS approaches with vertical guidance will probably kill any chances of further development of transponder landing system implimentation.
Click to expand...
That's almost exactly what my Jepp. Instrument/Comm. text says about them.
 
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