Definition
The title of an instrument approach chart that publishes two related approach procedures to Runway 3 on a single chart: a full Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach providing both lateral and vertical guidance, and a Localizer/Distance Measuring Equipment (LOC/DME) approach providing lateral guidance only with DME used to identify fixes and step-down points. The pilot flies the ILS when the glideslope is usable; if the glideslope is unavailable or out of service, the pilot flies the LOC/DME procedure as a non-precision approach to the same runway.
Plain English
One approach chart for Runway 3 that holds two procedures. If the glideslope works, you fly the full ILS down to landing. If the glideslope is out, you fly the localizer-only version using DME to know where you are along the approach.
Context Anchor
Seen as the name of an instrument approach on an FAA approach chart, in a flight plan, or in an aircraft navigator when selecting the approach to Runway 3.
Derivation
The title is built from standard aviation abbreviations. ILS names the full landing guidance system, LOC/DME names the localizer-and-distance version, and RWY 3 identifies the runway the approach leads to. The number 3 means the runway is generally aligned near 030 degrees magnetic.
Why Pilots Care
It shows exactly which types of guidance and minimums are published for that runway so the pilot can plan the approach correctly.
Intuition Check
Do not read “ILS or LOC/DME RWY 3” as two different runways. It is one runway approach title with two allowed equipment options: ILS, or localizer with DME.
Example Sentence 1
Center reported the glideslope was out of service, so we briefed the LOC/DME RWY 3 minimums from the ILS or LOC/DME RWY 3 chart instead of the ILS minimums.
Example Sentence 2
Approach control cleared the aircraft for the ILS or LOC/DME RWY 3 procedure.