Are all AF aircraft equipped for MLS approaches? I've seen several KC-135's practice the MLS approach into Boise, but never any F-15s or 16s from Mountain Home or the A-10s and C130s out of BOI. Most of the time they will just practice the ILS with a low approach. I don't know of too many MLS systems out there. So is it just from an equipment standpoint, tactical, or what?

F-15s aren't equipped.

I believe that most (if not all) Herks are equipped with the MLS. It's an emphasis item on our pilot checkride profiles (i.e. - it WILL be flown in lieu of an ILS _IF_ it's up and functioning.. not all that often).

Cheers!

Linda

We fly MLS's in the 17...Not that often though. Like loveacm said, the ones we try to use aren't usually working, even in the sim (which is where we get our instrument qual checkride)

I have yet to see a Herk that wasn't equipped with MLS. The main reason they are so seldomly flown is that the damn things are never working.

HD

Rumors floating around that the system may go away.

Maybe to be replaced by WAAS capable GPS perhaps?

Marine Hercs are not equipped with MLS.

What does an aircraft need to be able to shoot an MLS approach? Is it a different nav radio? How do you tune the frequency in? Do you need different nav displays in the cockpit?

I would recommend reading about the MLS in the 11-217v1 to answer most of your questions concerning why an MLS is used.

Originally posted by flyinjunky:

Marine Hercs are not equipped with MLS.

Yeah, but they have those nifty 6-blade props

C17,

I am a little slow on some things, but I did read about it in 11-217 (and per your request, I just reread it) and I still don't understand how you are supposed to tune in an MLS. Does it require a separate nav radio where you tune in the MLS channel? I see where in 11-217 it says that the course and DME information can be presented on conventional CDI's and DME indicators.

I was also told one time that MLS was supposed to be a more reliable replacement for ILS, but they stopped designing new MLS systems due to the advent and proliferation of GPS. Is this true too?

Thanks.

It requires a separate receiver. In the case of the c-17, it is integrated into the PLSR's(Precision Landing System Receiver) along with the VOR, ILS, and Marker Beacon. We just have to select the receiver and then tune the channel.

As far as your other questions, someone else will have to answer as I'm not really sure.

Originally posted by ENJJPT IP:

Yeah, but they have those nifty 6-blade props

BLASPHEMER! I've never logged hour one on that monstrous creation. The ones I refer to had patched bullet holes from SE Asia.

MLS was supposed to be the cheap ILS system of the future, until GPS entered the scene. Was supposed to allow easy set up for combat landing zones (ie, why Herks have MLS) and forward airfields.

MLS is going away, because it's useless now with GPS, and nobody has a working system anyways.

flyinjunky...get ready to fly the dandy new J model...the USMC wants a whole fleet of 'em. Both the copilots that went through phase one with us were going to J units.

Then its a good thing I didn't go Marine Aviation.

Come to think of it, the Hog is one of the last steam driven tactical airframes around. It's been at the top of my wish list since I started UPT.

Starting to sense a pattern to my madness... :cool:

Marine Battlehercs (sittin' sideways therein) was my former life.

[ 15. November 2004, 19:50: Message edited by: flyinjunky ]