Instrument Landing System upgrade completed at Cairns

The upgrade included essential works on equipment and facilities currently used for the provision of precision approach services.
Airservices General Manager Technology and Asset Services, Alastair Hodgson, said that ILS was a radio navigation aid that supports the safe and efficient movement of air traffic into and out of an airport particularly during bad weather conditions when visibility is reduced.
 
The old ILS equipment was one of the least reliable in the country and outages during the last wet season made it a priority for replacement. The new $3 million system is expected to provide reliable service through until 2025, Mr Hodgson said.

Airservices consulted widely with the aviation industry including Cairns International Airport, airlines, other airport users and the Bureau of Meteorology before commencing work on the new installation.

We looked at a study of weather patterns going back to 1948 which indicated August/September were the driest months and therefore the most appropriate time to carry out the work with minimal
disruption.

Unfortunately Murphys Law took a hand in proceedings and unseasonal wet weather caused some disruption in early September. However, our project team worked hard in sometimes difficult conditions to get the project completed before the onset of the wet season this month.
 
Cairns Airport is one of Australias leading regional airports and provides important links to a range of domestic and international locations.

The Cairns project is part of a $200 million nation-wide investment by Airservices over the current financial year to upgrade infrastructure, systems and equipment to enhance safety for the travelling public.