The glide slope transmitter for the ILS approach on runway 28L at SFO was out of service since June 1. That said, I believe there is an alternate, GPS-based sys

The glide slope transmitter for the ILS approach on runway 28L at SFO was out of service since June 1. That said, I believe there is an alternate, GPS-based system that could have been available as an alternative for automated approach. I'd suppose that given a pilot with low experience on that aircraft and relatively good conditions, this was considered a good opportunity to get a visual approach and landing under his belt. That presumes a lot, of course.