PAPI will save me!

AlexF

AlexF

Well-Known Member
This is an interesting thing that the FAA is trying out at Long Beach (KLGB), they are installing sensors at 3 points along the runway, and if traffic is in those areas, the PAPI will flash alerting the pilot on final for that same runway to use vigilance as someone may be on the runway!

Article: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0UBT/is_8_20/ai_n16073630#continue

FAA Power Point Presentation: http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/aircraft_aviation/run_safe/faros/pilot_information/other/media/060106_Faros_Airlines_Brief.pdf

 
I don't see this catching on as there are many times when I have been cleared to land with traffic still on the runway (or even in the air still). It would be annoying as heck if you are tracking the PAPI/VASI down and everytime somebody in front of you lands the thing starts flashing and you loose your vertical guidance.
 
I took part in the testing for this system. It's wired pretty tight. The researchers were looking at the reaction times required by pilots in case the system failed for some reason and an aircraft (or lawnmower or ramp truck) really was somewhere on your runway.

It's actually been installed at Long Beach for a while (and also at Flying Cloud in Minnesota - I think) but has been masked while additional field data was gathered prior to commissioning.

I hope I get to fly one of these someday (besides in the sim!)

-LC
 
PAPI question...

The AIM says that a VASI gives obstruction guidance/clearance. It says no such thing about a PAPI. Can I correctly infer that ONLY a VASI gives obstacle clearance?

It doesn't specifically that a PAPI either does, or does not, give any obstacle clearance.
 
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