Advanced Landing System - Model of Government and Private Cooperation

Al Hirsch, L. Nelson Spohnheimer

Abstract:	The patented Advanced Landing System (ALS) is a ground-based precision approach aid that transmits control signals to an approaching aircraft equipped with standard Instrument Landing System (ILS) receivers and transponder. ALS generates ILS like signals that are used to control the flight of an aircraft to Category I minimums. A novel feature of the system is that there is no cost to the flying public or aircraft operators because of its use of available on- board equipment. The ALS is flexible; it can handle approach paths for fixed wing or helicopter aircraft using different glide angle in straight, curved or multiple segment approaches. The ALS is a great example of blending private and public funding with dual use applications for military and civilian communities. The ALS was initially developed using private funds to produce an operational demonstration model. A successful set of flight demonstrations were conducted in January 1992 and further funding commitments were made with private investors. The next phase consisted of building a production prototype to obtain certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA Northwest Mountain Region was briefed on the ALS and have provided a great deal of support. Simultaneously, briefings were held with various military and congressional officials on the useful applications of ALS. The military are very interested in an instant airfield capability which is highly portable. The ALS product is developed to the point of being considered as an Non Developmental Item (NDI). Slight variations to the design as well as incorporating military derived manufacturing technologies will enable creation of a military version in a very short time. Congressional funding was provided to the Advanced Project Research Agency (ARPA) and administered through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to conduct a feasibility demonstration. Representatives from military aviation flew the ALS in November 1993 and were very impressed. In December 1993, the FAA Northwest Mountain Region tested the accuracy of ALS with the Signals In Space Evaluator (SISE) and determined that it has the capability of achieving Category I Accuracies. In fact, the localizer signals demonstrated near Category II performance. Further operation tests and demonstrations are to take place beginning in June 1994 at the US. Marine Corps air facility in Quantico, Virginia. Many facets of the government will attend and participate in the demonstrations. This paper will share highlights of the test data and provide operational evaluations and conclusions from the participants.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 50th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1994) June 6 - 8, 1994 Antlers Doubletree Hotel Colorado Springs, CO
Pages:	31 - 40
Cite this article:	Hirsch, Al, Spohnheimer, L. Nelson, "Advanced Landing System - Model of Government and Private Cooperation," Proceedings of the 50th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1994), Colorado Springs, CO, June 1994, pp. 31-40.
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