Hey
BOAC, are you trying to tell me that there's somebody else of
MY vintage who remembers the said "confidence check" provided by a NDB/Locator beacon? Sounds like you grew up in a procedural control environment too!
That said, I don't know of too many places where ATC will vector me to a position from which I will intercept the GS before the LLZ. So far as I'm aware, the golden rule in ATC is to vector for a LLZ intercept at an altitude
below GS capture. I know that there was a learning curve in this for ATC but, even where I've been for the last too many years, they mostly get it right these days.
Most ATCOs are very well aware that, when they're vectoring an aircraft, the pilot has buggarall chance of maintaining SA. This is why there's been, for a real long time, a lot of emphasis on telling the pilot how many miles to touchown, or to LLZ intercept.
In some places, with workload permitting, pilots can keep some idea of of SA by reference to navaids, GPS, etc. But, obviously, the caveat here is "workload permitting". Plus a fair amount of local knowledge!
I have no problem in accepting
some GS guidance prior to LLZ intercept in conditions that allow visual cross-reference. However, in IMC, I insist on LLZ capture first. And then I'm also cross checking DME distance to ensure that I avoid capturing a false, or erroneous (e.g. Apia), GP.
Judging from some previous threads on this topic, I think that I'm fortunate to have done the majority of my flying in countries that provide a DME/Altitude table, plus an indication of when to expect GS intercept, on the charts. It saves a lot of mental maths - and unexpected surprises!
So I guess that my answer to the original question is that, without other indications, I would certainly not be guided by the GS indication - in IMC or at an unfamiliar location - without first being assured of LLZ capture, or being above MSA.
As some folks on here will know, I also design these procedures, so I know that there can be some really
BIG rocks just outside the ILS protection area that can really ruin you day!
