ILS's in LIPZ and LIPE
 

Yesterday I flew into Venice and Bologna, no real hassles but there certainly is a host of ILS's for the same runways. All designated X,Y&Z. As far as I see the main differences being the missed approaches, hence the designations and Ive seen these things in other parts of the world too. The ATIS didn't refer to any particular one, just the ILS and the ATC just called it the ILS sounding a little indifferent when I quizzed them as to which one they wanted us to fly.

Have I missed something here, but how the heck do you figure which ILS to brief, and subsequently fly in these places?

Cheers

Well, thats Italy. Sometimes you get the clearance with the identifier, sometimes you don't. If brief the most easy one and we then briefly discuss the differences to, say, X and Y. Not the best way, but what else would you do...?

Sometimes, but not always, it helps if you ask.

Have to admit i find that it is especially useful down in Italy when they give you radar vectors on an ILS approach, and then abandon you somewhere downwind-ish with the words "follow the procedure" - wtf ?!

Its based on the serviceability of the various navaids (not the ILS obviously). If you look at the missed approach procedures, they are based on different VORs (normally) to cater for unserviceabilties. I can't be sure (it's been awhile since I have been there) but I think the Z approach is for fully serviceable navaids, enabling more than one VOR to be used for the missed approach.

I'm prepared to be corrected!:)

Same approach procedures.....different missed approach procedures....

Also in Italy, LIRQ anyway, some ILS approaches are dedicated for Cat A and B types only. A different approach for Cat A, B and C types.

Just ask which one is in use. They'll always tell you..........or at least pass you to the next controller to ask.

IIRC at LIEO the approaches are also slightly different.

Correct, there are more in case of navaid unserviceable,

In the past they were coded as P primary S second T third..


NOW they are coded with reverse alphabetical order, Z first Y, X, W, V, U...
Check notams for navaid u/s then perform the briefing according!