Precision approach into London Gatwick

3D ModelNoAI

A precision approach provides pilots with guidance in both the lateral and vertical planes. A common precision approach flown into many airports uses the Instrument Landing System (ILS) with a 3° glide path. Equipment onboard an aircraft receives ILS signals, and the resulting guidance is displayed on an aircraft’s flight instruments.

Here we see an aircraft lined up to capture the glide path for runway 26L at London Gatwick. This model shows the boundary of the signals that intersect both the localiser course and the glide slope. The signal ‘funnel’ narrows as the aircraft nears the runway. Note that the aeroplane depicted here is not to scale and has been enlarged to aid visibility.

Learn more about the ILS glide path.

Surface texture copyright Mapbox and OpenStreetMap.