Who Checks the Localizer/ILS at an Airport?

While pilots don't have the capability to check a localizer like you do a VOR in an aircraft, there is a strategy to see if the unit is in service.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 11:30 AM ET

Verified

The FAA has been incrementally upgrading the 30-year-old NOTAM system, and the new changes went live April 18, 2026. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots cannot "check" localizer or ILS units for normal operation; instead, they should consult NOTAMs for service status and identify the correct frequency before use.
The FAA is responsible for certifying and inspecting localizer and ILS units, performing flight inspections periodically, upon commission, after specific events (e.g., first use, incidents), or under special circumstances.
Maintenance shutdowns or confirmed pilot reports of malfunctions for navigational aids are communicated via NOTAMs, leading to their removal from service until the FAA can inspect, correct, and validate proper operation.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Question: I just started my instrument training. I know the pilot is supposed to check the VOR every 30 days if they want to use it for IFR flight, but how often is the localizer and ILS checked for normal operation? Does the pilot have to check that too?

Answer: The pilot doesn’t have the capability to “check” the localizer like you do a VOR in an aircraft, but you can check the Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) to see if the unit is in service. You also should identify it before use to be certain you are tuned in to the correct frequency. As far as who checks them for correct operation, that falls on the FAA.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.