The effect of the microwave landing system on airport capacity

Abstract

An attempt is made to identify how the microwave landing system (MLS) will affect airport capacity. It is noted that MLS has the potential to address capacity in many areas, including parallel runways, converging runways, conflicting approaches, incompatible aircraft mix, wake vortex avoidance, curved approaches, and reduced siting restrictions. It is concluded that since the basic technology of MLS has been demonstrated, efforts should focus on the development approaches that will improve its operational feasibility. Fixed-course-MLS is one such approach that will reduce the burden on controllers of coordinating curved approaches and simplify airborne equipment.<>