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35° 

35° 

10° 

10° 

AIM 

4/20/23

10 NM

18 NM18

N

CAUTION

 

Unless the aircraft’s ILS equipment includes reverse sensing capability, when flying inbound on the back course it is 

necessary to steer the aircraft in the direction opposite the needle deflection when making corrections from off

course 

to on

course. This “flying away from the needle” is also required when flying outbound on the front course of the 

localizer. Do not use back course signals for approach unless a back course approach procedure is published for that 

particular runway and the approach is authorized by ATC. 

4. 

Identification is in International Morse Code and consists of a three

letter identifier preceded by the letter 

I (

) transmitted on the localizer frequency. 

EXAMPLE

 

I

DIA 

5. 

The localizer provides course guidance throughout the descent path to the runway threshold from a 

distance of 18 NM from the antenna between an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest terrain along the course 

line and 4,500 feet above the elevation of the antenna site. Proper off

course indications are provided throughout 

the following angular areas of the operational service volume: 

(a) 

To 10 degrees either side of the course along a radius of 18 NM from the antenna; and 

(b) 

From 10 to 35 degrees either side of the course along a radius of 10 NM. (See FIG 1

1

6.

FIG 1

1

Limits of Localizer Coverage 

10

N

M

NORMAL LIMITS OF LOCALIZER

NORMAL LIMITS OF LOCALIZER 

COVERAGE:  THE SAME AREA

COVERAGE:  THE SAME AREA 

APPLIES TO A BACK COURSE

APPLIES TO A BACK COURSE 

RUNWAY

RUNWAY 

LOCALIZER

LOCALIZER 

ANTENNA

ANTENNA 

WHEN PROVIDED.

WHEN PROVIDED. 

6. 

Unreliable signals may be received outside of these areas. ATC may clear aircraft on procedures beyond 

the service volume when the controller initiates the action or when the pilot requests, and radar monitoring is 

provided. 

7. 

The areas described in paragraph 1

1

9 b5 and depicted in FIG 1

1

6 represent a Standard Service 

Volume (SSV) localizer. All charted procedures with localizer coverage beyond the 18 NM SSV have been 

through the approval process for Expanded Service Volume (ESV), and have been validated by flight inspection. 

(See FIG 1

1

7.

1

1

12 

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