VASI vs PAPI

Maurus said:
This is exactly why I wondered why my home airport put in two new PAPI systems instead of VASI systems last summer.
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Tear 'em all out! No more PAPIs! :insane::D

Honestly, we'd all be going missed everyday if we said "Oh, the reg says VASI but I only see the PAPIs!"

Stabilized on the LOC/GS with the PAPIs in sight...I'm landing...
 
Maurus said:
This is exactly why I wondered why my home airport put in two new PAPI systems instead of VASI systems last summer.
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If the majority of op specs include the PAPIs, it may not be a big issue. Probably the majority of non-commercial operators won't be flying in the sort of weather where it makes a difference.
 
cencal83406 said:
According to 91.175....

First off.... you may descend to 100 feet above TDZE if you have the red side row bars or red terminating bars in sight. The systems that have these are the ALSF-1 and -2.

(i) The approach light system, except that the pilot may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation using the approach lights as a reference unless the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.
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The way I and the other pilots I know read this is:

If you see the approach lights, you can descend to 100 ft above TDZE. If you also see the side row or terminating bars, you can go all the way.

(i) The approach light system, except that the pilot may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation using the approach lights as a reference unless the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.

You get 100 ft with the approach lights, no restriction with the side row or terminating bars. They key word in that is "also distinctly visible and identifiable."

Does anyone disagree or have a letter of interpretation on that as well?
 
nyalex said:
The way I and the other pilots I know read this is:

If you see the approach lights, you can descend to 100 ft above TDZE. If you also see the side row or terminating bars, you can go all the way.

(i) The approach light system, except that the pilot may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation using the approach lights as a reference unless the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.

You get 100 ft with the approach lights, no restriction with the side row or terminating bars. They key word in that is "also distinctly visible and identifiable."

Does anyone disagree or have a letter of interpretation on that as well?
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I don't have a legal interpretation to support it, but I agree with your interpretation of the reg. If you see any part of the ALS you can continue down to 100' above TDZE. When you get the red terminating bars in sight (and most likely the threshold and threshold lights a half second later), you can continue down to the runway.

If we didn't have the 100' above TDZE rule, we'd all be going missed with the sequenced flashers in sight when MALSR or ODALS setups are present. No point in that. That's what the flashers are for. :dunno:
 
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