Transponder Landing System

Nick · January 9th, 2006, 13:38

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.

seagull · January 9th, 2006, 20:16

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.

BoilerPilot2007 · January 9th, 2006, 22:29

Never heard of them. Do they go by another name? Could anyone expand on them?

-Evan

jtrain609 · January 10th, 2006, 22:24

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.

jknight8907 · January 11th, 2006, 16:15

Interesting. Never heard of it though. Does anyone have some more information about them?

seagull · January 11th, 2006, 21:13

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.

SteveC · January 11th, 2006, 21:50

I presume only one plane on the approach at a time?

seagull · January 12th, 2006, 01:43

You presume correctly.

Minnesota_Flyer · January 12th, 2006, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Herreshoff

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.

That's almost exactly what my Jepp. Instrument/Comm. text says about them.

January 9th, 2006, 13:38	#1
Nick Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,395	Transponder Landing System 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. __________________ Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history.

January 9th, 2006, 22:29	#3
BoilerPilot2007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 444	Never heard of them. Do they go by another name? Could anyone expand on them? -Evan __________________ http://www.setlovefree.com

January 10th, 2006, 22:24	#4
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,374	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. __________________

January 11th, 2006, 16:15	#5
jknight8907 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 275	Interesting. Never heard of it though. Does anyone have some more information about them? __________________ Jonathan

January 11th, 2006, 21:50	#7
SteveC Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: GRR Posts: 8,632	I presume only one plane on the approach at a time? __________________ . If life gives you lemons, throw 'em into a quart of vodka. ~Red Green

January 9th, 2006, 20:16	#2
seagull Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,045	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.

January 11th, 2006, 21:13	#6
seagull Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,045	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.

January 12th, 2006, 01:43	#8
seagull Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,045	You presume correctly.

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