INTERSCAN Microwave Landing System - Engineering Heritage National Marker Essendon Fields, Victoria, Australia
By Team MavEtJu on 29-Oct-15. Waypoint GA7702

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Type: Virtual
Container: Virtual
Coordinates: S37° 43.400' E144° 53.811' (WGS 84)
  55H 314646E 5822799N (UTM)
Elevation: 79 m
Local Government Area: Moonee Valley

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Description

INTERSCAN Microwave Landing System - Engineering Heritage National Marker

The INTERSCAN, which is short for Time INTERval SCANning) Microwave Landing System (MLS) was an Australian-developed technology created in response to a competition devised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and administered by the All Weather Operational Panel (AWOP) to find a replacement for the then current Instrument Landing System (ILS). The INTERSCAN system through superior design and technological diplomacy was accepted as the world standard technology for assisted landing in 1978 and is still being installed and used in airports around the world such as Heathrow Airport.

Despite the success of the technology on the international stage, in relatively recent history little has been done to acknowledge the significance of the system. The technology has mostly fallen out of the public’s interest and the prototype equipment, at Melbourne International Airport has been left exposed to the elements with little care for its historical value.

This Nomination for Engineers Heritage listing should lead to greater public awareness and possible recognition with other heritage recognising bodies, allowing this Australian achievement to be remembered for posterity.

 

Note: The plaque is inside the building near the INTERSCAN exhibit. If you find it, please determine the right location and let me know!

Note: Limited access to the area: Tours of the Airways Museum are available on Tuesdays 09:00 till 15:00 and at other times by appointment.

When logging this virtual, please add a photo of yourself or your GPSr at the plaque.

For more information, please see the nomination PDF at the Heritage Register at the Engineers Australia website: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/heritage/interscan-microwave-landing-system-1971-1978

Logs

09-Feb-21
#GA5108 - 14:15; In Melbourne for a couple of days and between errands, there is time for a spot of caching. I collected "the magic box" for the Victorian Reverse Geocache (GA6859) from its CO and then set off on my mission. Collected some caches along the way, then did a bit of work for the geodaughter before getting back to the mission. This cache was on the way to my next targets and as the Aircraft Museum was open today, I had to stop off and grab a snap. Beware the pay parking, which left me with limited funds for a donation towards the worthy volunteer work of the museum crew. Had an interesting chat while I was there and explained a little bit about caching before grabbing the required snap and heading on my way again. This one is well worth a visit to check out the items on display and chat with the volunteers about their project. TFTC Team MavEtJu Very HappyClan Cerberus
 
GA Find #2

{FTF}

A great museum to visit. Many Australian inventions for the aviation world. My First FTF for GCA ClappingClan Phoenix

Thanks MavEtJu
 
09-Nov-15
Added restrictions to access in the description. Thanks to caughtatwork for the note!
 
09-Nov-15
"Tours of the Airways Museum are available on Tuesdays 9am-3pm and at other times by appointment. Groups are welcome and a meeting room is available. Entry is by gold coin donation for individuals, $4 per head for group tours (including tea/coffee & bikkies, and a guided tour)."

Sadly the building is only open to the public at very restrictive times. Will have to remember next time Tuesday is a public holiday and I have some cashola to spare.
 
29-Oct-15
Published!