MOB Tower Controller reported that it takes up to two hours for the Controllers to get the ILS switched for a runway change.

Date: 2022-09 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft · Phase: landing

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|ground-excursion-runway|no-specific-anomaly-occurred-unwanted-situation

Synopsis

MOB Tower Controller reported that it takes up to two hours for the Controllers to get the ILS switched for a runway change.

Narrative

Aircraft X was attempting a touch and go on Runway 15 and momentarily lost control upon landing; causing the aircraft to veer off into the grass. Fortunately no damages or injuries were reported and the aircraft was able to proceed through the grass onto the taxiway and taxi back for departure with no further issues. The winds at the time were 02007kts which would have favored runway 33 and not 15. The reason Runway 15 was in use is because the only way to switch our ILS is to call tech ops and have them manually go to the site and switch it which usually takes about 2 hours. In fact we called to have it switched 2 hours prior when the winds were favoring Runway 15; however; by the time they switched it we were back to favoring Runway 33. The winds change way too often here for the Controllers to not have control of changing the ILS.In my opinion the winds could've played a role in the pilot running off the runway. We haven't had the ability to switch our ILS for months and are being told funding is holding it up. This is unacceptable and needs to be fixed as soon as possible in order to continue operating as safely and efficiently as possible. This is a safety of flight issue especially at times of shifting winds and IMC conditions.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.