Flight inspection of the instrument landing system (ILS) at Frankfurt Airport

In the period from 20 to 23 August 2026, calibration flights to check the instrument landing system of the central runway at Frankfurt Airport will be conducted. A calibration aircraft especially equipped for this purpose will check the precision of the signals, which are essential for safe landings. Both operating directions of the runway will be checked, i.e. approaches from the east as well as from the west. 

The flight calibration flights will begin at night. Should there be any delays due to technical reasons or the weather, the calibration flights will have to be continued in an alternative period. This alternative period would be at night between 28 and 30 August 2026.  

The calibration aircraft being used is a turboprop Beechcraft Super King Air 350. Overflights of built-up areas will be avoided as far as possible and to the extent the specified flight profiles permit. The instrument landing system provides navigational support for pilots during approach. The basic principle is that signal transmitters on the ground electronically define the approach course and glide path angle. The signals are received in the aircraft and displayed to the pilot in the cockpit. Only calibration aircraft that are specially equipped for this purpose are able to check the precision of these signals.  

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) prescribes the calibration of the instrument landing system at regular intervals. This is crucial for the safe, orderly and expeditious handling of air traffic at airports.