Hello!

As I'm editing GATB right now I saw installations on the ground typically used for an ILS on runway 07, the glideslope antenna (with shadow) left of the runway and the localizer at the end of the runway. Both objects can be seen on Google as well as Bing images.
There is no information coming from the Sim Nav database, unfortunately the Navigraph charts are outdated (2017) and Chartfox as well as Airmate provide charts from 2018 for the RNAV approaches but none for an ILS approach. The Mali AIP seems to be a deserted website and was of no help.

I've already searched the web and the only hint I could get was this page http://www.pilotnav.com/airport/GATB with a link to a paywall site https://www.dauntless-soft.com/products/simplates/GetSimplates.asp?Airport=Timbuktu+Airport&Plate=ILS+Z+or+LOC+Rwy+07&ICAO=GATB&IATA=TOM&FAA=&CountryName=MALI&Location=Timbuktu%2c+MALI&NoPlatesThisAirport=17&NbPlatesThisCountry=113&NbPlatesAllSimplates=125878

Not an option.

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers,

Stefan

Current Navigraph data show only RNAV (GNSS) 07 and RNAV (GNSS) 25.

@somiller yes, but these charts are old, from 2017.

There is no doubt that these are ILS installations:

https://postimg.cc/gallery/KGSQHpr

If the ILS doesn’t show up on charts there’s also a chance that it is out of service but the infrastructure hasn’t been removed.

@regis9

That's always a possibility, of course.

I don't think it's that likely though, why downgrade without needing to, especially since the airport has obviously undergone upgrades recently.

If you compare Google with Bing Maps, you will see that there is also a brand new Military Apron. By the way, there is also a VOR or NDB opposite this Apron. That's also not documented in the 2017/18 maps, which you can really call ancient now.

Let's see if someone can contribute something here, the Mali AIP already not.

Cheers,

Stefan

This seems to indicate the ILS was withdrawn from service in 2017:

https://skybrary.aero/accidents-and-incidents/b734-timbuktu-mali-2017

Jeppesen charts (used by Navigraph) are usually up to date.  

And then there was the attack in 2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MINUSMA_super_camp_attack

I would looove to fly to a nice Timbuktu scenery, such an iconic destination. But my gut feeling is that the airport is only used by the militia right now.

@regis9 @qqwertzde Thank you for your research, these are really good finds and that should clear this up.

@qqwertzde My airport mods, I call them fakeports 😀, are just simple enhancements based on default assets but always better than the AI defaults.