Polish Pilot Went Rogue

www.joytiz.com ^ | 4/13/10 | Joy Tiz

[DuncanWaring]

There’s a fairly decent writeup on Instrument Landing Systems here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_landing_system

I think most of the higher-end business jets and all commercial airliners are good for at least “Category II”, and most commercial airliners are good for at least Category III A”.

Note also, though, that being able to use all that equipment on the airplane requires a corresponding installation on the ground.

JFK, for example, has one runway equipped for Category III ILS approaches. The approach plate is here:

http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1004/00610I22LC3.PDF

Note the disclaimer at the bottom of “Special aircrew and aircraft certification required”.

[DuncanWaring]

One more thing - the fact that an airport the size of JFK can only afford one CAT III ILS runway gives a clue as to how expensive these things are.

[cunning_fish]

That is not a civilian airport but a military airbase and it is not an airline or private but Polish Air Force One plane landing. I think it is incorrect to apply civilian rules there. I really doubt a military ground control may be authorised to close a runway for a friendly Presidential jet flown by another military aircrew. They may advise them to fly to a safer place but they know the pilot is on duty under order and it is a pilot who has to choose does he able to land or not in such a condition. Same about the language they are using. it is not a civilian airport and not a civilian airliner. If they were choosen to speak Ugandian or Russian it is their own business.
I think there is a few place for a conspiracy.

[theanchoragedailyruse]

They were speaking English - The Russians went to speaking Russian at the last point when they were off their glide path..

[cunning_fish]

I really doubt a Polish pilot may have problem understanding both Russian or English.