For helicopters, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a precision approach aid that provides both lateral (horizontal) and vertical (descent) guidance to a runway. While primarily a fixed-wing tool, IFR-rated (Instrument Flight Rules) helicopters use standard airport ILS systems to land in low-visibility conditions like fog or heavy rain. How ILS Works for Helicopters Helicopters equipped with the necessary avionics—such as the AW139—can capture the same radio beams as airplanes to descend tow