Hi,

I know that at AREA-51 runway 32 uses ILS via the SMOKY approach for all JANET flight for landing runway 32

But what about runway 14?? (the opposite side of runway 32 near the salt lake bed)
Does that have an ILS or is it just runway 32 that has it?

Here the info I got from the Dreamlandresort website.

Janet Routes to Area 51
Route: LAS -> Groom

Filed Flight Plan FIDOE SHOWW BTY060030
Normal Route LAS - FIDOE - MCY - Pyramid - Visual Approach Groom Rwy.32
Keyhole (Direct) LAS - FIDOE - MCY (Planet) - TEDDY - Visual Approach Groom Rwy.32
Red Flag LAS - FIDOE - MCY (Planet) - ABBIE - Visual Approach Groom Rwy.32
ILS Yankee Appr. LAS - FIDOE - MCY (Planet) - SMOKY - ILS Rwy.32

And...

Groom typically uses Rwy 32 for arriving Janet 737's, and Rwy 14 for departures. The smaller Beechliners often use the shorter Rwy 30 for arrival and Rwy 12 for departure. The old Rwy 14R/32L is no longer used. Rwy 32 is equipped with an ILS.

But what about runway 14?
Is that ILS equipped as well, or only runway 32?





thx



[edit on 23-10-2009 by darpa999]

[edit on 23-10-2009 by darpa999]

[edit on 23-10-2009 by darpa999]

Umm, probably a stupid question but...
Could you clarify what an ILS is for those of us that aren't familiar with the terminology.

Ok, fine. ILS (Instrument Landing System) which automatically guides an aircraft in the intended runway using whats called an ILS frequency.

This is used in low visibilty conditions such as heavy fog in which you cannot see the runway....Therefore, pilots really need to rely on their instruments using the term ILS, which guides the airplane to its intended runway.

Hope this helped. Also, you can Google it.

Now, does runway 14 on the opposite side of runway 32 at Groom Lake is ILS equipped or only runway 32?

[edit on 23-10-2009 by darpa999]

[edit on 23-10-2009 by darpa999]

Thank you for clarifying that.

In answer to you question: I don't know.
Not to give you a hard time but what is the difference if the other runway is ILS equipped or not.

I imagine if weather is poor they would just use the ILS equipped runway.

Originally posted by gariac
Having monitored Groom Lake air traffic over the years, I've rarely heard instrument approaches. I suspect they like to fly in lower than the glideslope allows.

Since it's in the middle of the desert I'm betting the weather has more to do with it than trying to avoid surveillance. How many days a year do they get clouds, let alone fog or a low ceiling? Frankly I'm surprised they even have an ILS.

Historically, there has been an ILS system for Runway 14. The old airstrip (Runway 14R) that is now closed had an ILS glide slope system (Building 905) and power shed (Building 906). Presumably it was moved for use with the new Runway 14L.