Which statement describes the Instrument Landing System (ILS)?

• A. Instrument Landing System - provides lateral and vertical guidance
• B. Weather reporting system
• C. Ground-based radar beacon
• D. Global navigation satellite system

Answer: (A)

The Instrument Landing System provides both lateral and vertical guidance for an instrument approach. It uses a localizer to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway centerline (lateral guidance) and a glideslope to guide descent along the proper angle toward the runway (vertical guidance). This combination lets a pilot fly a precise approach even in reduced visibility. Weather reporting is handled separately by meteorological outputs, not by the ILS. The ILS is a ground-based radio navigation aid, not a radar beacon, and not a satellite-based navigation system like GNSS.