EASA SIB SAFO21004: Air Traffic Control Notification and Pilot Awareness When Conducting an Instrument Landing System Autoland Procedure

What to do

Operators should incorporate procedures requiring flightcrews to notify ATC when planning to conduct autoland approaches to receive advisories about critical area protection. They should also review and update flightcrew manuals to ensure thorough briefings, monitoring of approach stability, and clear go-around protocols during autoland. Flightcrews are advised to exercise caution during autoland operations, recognizing that ILS deviations may occur even in favorable weather conditions.

Summary

SAFO 21004 is a Safety Alert for Operators issued by the FAA Flight Standards Service that addresses the importance of notifying Air Traffic Control (ATC) when conducting Instrument Landing System (ILS) autoland procedures. It highlights pilot awareness during coupled approaches and autoland maneuvers to prevent deviations caused by localizer signal interference. This alert applies broadly to operators using ILS autoland systems, regardless of weather conditions.

What changed

SAFO 21004 introduces guidance encouraging operators to establish procedures for flightcrews to inform ATC of autoland intentions, enabling ATC to provide advisories about ILS critical area protection. It also recommends enhancements to flightcrew manuals concerning briefings, stabilized approaches, and go-around procedures during autoland operations. The alert emphasizes that ILS signal deviations can occur even in good weather due to preceding aircraft, which is a consideration not previously highlighted.

Why it matters

This alert is important for aviation professionals because it raises awareness of potential ILS signal disturbances during autoland approaches that can lead to runway deviations and go-arounds, impacting safety. Operators and flightcrews must understand the limitations of ILS critical area protection and the need for effective communication with ATC to mitigate risks. Compliance with these recommendations can improve operational safety and reduce incidents related to autoland procedures.