Security at a class D tower

In the tower we have two switches. One switches the localizer between
the two runways, only one can be on at a time. The second switch shuts
them both off. We normally have no reason to turn them off but that
ability and authority rests with the person in charge in the tower. I
don't know if our airport management has the ability to turn it off. I
doubt it as the only other place to do it outside of the tower would be
at the individual localizer and glideslope shacks. They have no
responsibility for the system and probably couldn't care less.




Denny wrote:
Yes, they can. That's where the on/off switch is located.



This whole conversation is confusing the physical location of the
power supply to the ILS with the 'authority' to turn it off... On our
airport the ILS is powered from a padlocked breaker box... The airport
manager has an emergency key to the padlock and can physically shut it
down, but the snarling and swearing that will shortly result will be
something to behold because he does not have the authority to do so
other than a true emergency... In my converstions with the techs who
maintain the system (ILS and NDB) they take a dim view of anyone
touching 'their' equipment... The lone exception has been the NDB
which is prone to tripping off from nearby lightning strikes... We
will routinely unlock the door to the shack and reset the breaker...
The techs are happy not to make a 90 mile drive just for that...

denny