Kingston Airport Instrument Landing System Upgraded
The modernization of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Kingston Airport (YGK) has been completed. The ILS guides pilots during low-visibility conditions on an approach to Runway 19, Kingston Airport's primary approach which runs toward the south over Collins Bay.
With this equipment, aircraft can safely continue their landing until a point 1.6 km away from (1 mile — since the aviation world still uses English measurements) and 76 m (250 ft.) above the end of the runway. At this juncture, pilots must either see the runway or stop the approach and 'go-around' for another attempt. Kingston Airport has the only ILS between Montreal and Toronto, making YGK an important alternate airport for many pilots of smaller aircraft who cannot land at the major airports due to weather concerns.
The $216,000 work included an upgrade of the electronics (installed in the 1970s) with newer equipment and a new monitoring panel in the Flight Service Station.
