Obscure Visual Approach Indicators

ARFlyer

ARFlyer

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A question by one of my students got me thinking about those "other" visual approach indicators. I am talking about the tri-color and pulsating indicator systems. I know they have/use to exist because there listed in multiple FAA publications.

Has anyone ever seen one of these systems and if so did it work as well as the more common PAPI/VASI systems? Also why were they created in the first place? It seems the PAPI/VASI systems do the job quite well.
 
Yes, I've seen them, but they're rare. Can't say they work any better or worse than the other systems you mentioned.
 
We have a plasi or I think it is now pvasi.
Except at night, I have a hard time noticing it. And then, I think it is designed for a 250' cockpit to wheels height as when I use it with devotion, I end up landing halfway down the runway! Otherwise if the vis is poor (rare here) I think it would be useful.
 
Clarksville (H35) has, or used to have, something other that standard PAPI/VASI. That should be easy for you to check out. The new PAPI at Russellville on 25 will also take you a long ways down the runway. It was necessary because of obstructions. The last light has to turn red when you have at least one degree of clearance from the highest obstacle. We had to set it at 4 degrees and move it down the runway till the TCH is over 80 feet to meet that criteria. We expect that pilots will land by their sight picture of the runway instead of the PAPI once they have a clear view of the runway.
 
My favorite (used to be found at just about every Maryland airport) was what I called the Plywood Approach Path Indicator. It's just three panels and you line them up like a gunsight to show you're on the glidepath.
 
Used them both. They work just like a normal VASI/PAPI based on the angle you see the different color filter for the tricolor or the moving arm for the PVASI comes into view.
 
warthog1984 said:
Catalina has the pulsing VASI. It works.

The tri color systems are mainly at Navy fields, because they came up with it before PAPIs became popular.
Click to expand...

KAVX was the first thing that came to mind when I opened this thread. It's a bit small and not real noticeable during a bright sunny day, but once you realize what it is it works just fine.
 
I have a portable military VASI (it runs on 6V so I suspect it was designed to be powered by a Jeep battery). It's a simple single light red over green vasi with a projector bulb inside. It's not very bright for daytime use and by the time we think about setting it up for some nighttime testing at NC26 we've already started drinking so that's out.
 
Just flew the PLASI on Runway 15 at Martin State (KMTN) in Baltimore MD this morning and reaffirmed my memory that it is neither better nor worse than VASI/PAPI, just different.
 
My home airport, El Monte (KEMT) has a two light PAPI on both ends of the runway.

Yes, a PAPI, not a VASI.

--Carlos V.
 
Never seen anything but VASI/PAPI. That other stuff is rare as a three-legged unicorn.
 
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