PLT276: ILS Indications And CDI
What code PLT276 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study ILS Indications And CDI before your checkride.
Recall ILS - indications / OBS / CDI
What this means for your checkride
The instrument landing system provides lateral guidance from the localizer and vertical guidance from the glideslope to fly a precise approach to the runway. The course deviation indicator shows the aircraft position relative to the localizer course, and a separate needle shows position relative to the glideslope. Centering both needles means the aircraft is on course and on the correct descent path.
Instrument pilots must correctly interpret localizer and glideslope needle indications to fly a safe precision approach.
Students sometimes chase the needles with large corrections, but ILS needles are sensitive near the runway and require small, smooth inputs.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.