Cork "Cat II unavailable on 35, will take 20 minutes to turn on"

[eoinok]

Heard this conversation going on this morning on the scanner (while trying to shave!) between the tower and an AirTrans plane.
Was only grabbing bits en pieces but it was also mentioned that the weather limits were still within a CAT I approach. When I looked out all I could say was that it was very foggy!

My question is this, do they turn off the CAT II system when only a CAT I approach is needed? Seems wierd to me?

Then again, I am only a full time desktop pilot and this may be strange to me but would make perfect sense to others?

[skyrabbit]

Cat 2 is only available on 17. The approach lighting on 35 is minimal and there are no touchdown zone lights.

Rabbs

[vintage ATCO]

No, the ILS is the same bit of kit regardless of the category but there could be certain parameters not met which would preclude its use at Cat II (or III). This is why you sometimes see ILS NOTAMed as 'Cat I' only. In addition, as Rabbs alludes to, there are factors outside ILS which may affect whether an approach can support Cat II, even a temporary obstacle inside the Localiser Sensitive Area for instance.

But to answer your question, no there isn't a separate bit of ILS that is switched on for Cat II.

HTH

[Tom the Tenor]

Hi Vintage ATCO, may I ask if you are familiar with the navaids at Cork? If so, how feasible might it be from a technical operations point of view would it be to install a CAT III at Cork? Either end of 17/35.

Thank you.

[vintage ATCO]

I'm not but my consultancy rates are available upon application. . . .

[Tom the Tenor]

In Luton tomorrow. Now, isn't that gas!