Upcoming ILS test flights

Airservices is testing its two Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) at Western Sydney International Airport. An ILS is a precision navigation aid that provides aircraft with both vertical and lateral guidance when approaching a runway for landing.

AeroPearl, Airservices Australia's flight inspection service provider, is responsible for conducting airborne checks of all navigation aids installed by Airservices.

The aircraft will conduct a number of test flight runs on each ILS using a dedicated flight inspection aircraft. Flights are planned for Saturday 18 July 2026 during daylight hours, with Sunday 19 July 2026 designated as a contingency day should testing not be completed as scheduled.

Testing is expected to take between four and six hours. The specific flight paths and test runs conducted on the day will depend on prevailing weather conditions and Air Traffic Control (ATC) requirements across the Sydney Basin.

During the testing period, local residents may observe a twin-engine aircraft flying repeated low-level flight patterns within approximately 50 kilometres of the airport.

This testing will take place in addition to the previously announced Qantas Freight test flights over the same two-day period. The activities are separate and independent and will be monitored by Air Traffic Control.

For further information, please contact wsia@airservicesaustralia.com.