On Thursday 4 November, Friday 5 November and Wednesday 10 November, a test aircraft will fly to the Kaagbaan Runway from various altitudes and distances. Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) will be conducting special test flights to check the Kaagbaan's updated landing system (ILS). During these test flights the runway is not available for air traffic. Because the test aircraft have to fly in the approach area of the Aalsmeerbaan and Zwanenburgbaan (south) runways, landing aircraft are expected to use the Buitenveldertbaan Runway.
Published on: 27 October 2021
Kaagbaan back in action
During regular maintenance on the Kaagbaan Runway, LVNL will renew the ILS (instrument landing system). The runway will be deployed again on Friday evening 22 October, after completion of the maintenance. The Kaagbaan can then again be used as a runway heading towards or from the southwest. The ILS is not yet available, but aircraft can land using GPS navigation during the day when visibility is good. With limited visibility and a northerly wind, the Aalsmeerbaan and Zwanenburgbaan runways can be used for landings. During the night, the Zwanenburgbaan Runway will be used for landing air traffic when there is a northerly wind.
Test aircraft
The test flights are planned between 09:30 and 17:00 on Thursday 4 November and Wednesday 10 November. Both flights take four to six hours. On Friday 5 November between 15:00 and 17:00, another test flight will take place. The exact timings depend on factors like the weather conditions and air traffic volumes. These flights will be carried out by a special test aircraft: a Cessna with the registration number PH-LAB. Other dates have been reserved in the event that certain conditions prevent the test flights from going ahead as planned. They are 5, 6, 11, 15 or 16 November.
Visibility conditions
Upon completion of the test flights, international safety standards state that the new landing system must be fully functioning for five weeks before the runway can be used for landing at times when visibility is low. Only after that period of five weeks can the Kaagbaan Runway once again be used for landing in all kinds of visibility conditions.
Find out more on LVNL.nl.