Which ILS component provides vertical guidance?

Which ILS component provides vertical guidance?

• A. Localizer
• B. Marker beacon
• C. Glideslope
• D. Approach lighting system

Answer: (C)

Vertical guidance on an instrument landing system comes from the glideslope. The glideslope is a radio aid that creates a precise descent path, guiding the aircraft downward toward the runway so you can maintain a constant glide angle—typically about 3 degrees. This vertical path helps you manage altitude while you stay aligned with the runway centerline. The localizer provides horizontal guidance, keeping you on the runway’s centerline left-to-right. The marker beacon identifies specific points along the approach and serves as position cues, not vertical guidance. The approach lighting system offers visual cues to help you see and land in low visibility but doesn’t deliver the radio-based vertical path.

Vertical guidance on an instrument landing system comes from the glideslope. The glideslope is a radio aid that creates a precise descent path, guiding the aircraft downward toward the runway so you can maintain a constant glide angle—typically about 3 degrees. This vertical path helps you manage altitude while you stay aligned with the runway centerline.

The localizer provides horizontal guidance, keeping you on the runway’s centerline left-to-right. The marker beacon identifies specific points along the approach and serves as position cues, not vertical guidance. The approach lighting system offers visual cues to help you see and land in low visibility but doesn’t deliver the radio-based vertical path.