Frangibility Tests of Existing Approach Lamps and Holders

One of the hazards encountered when flying into a major airport today is the possibility of accidentally undershooting the threshold of the runway and impacting into present-day approach lighting systems located there. Tests were conducted on approach lamps and holders to determine to what extent current designs are frangible. A catapult accelerated the fuselages of two widely used types of small aircraft to collision with PAR-38 and PAR-56 lamps and associated holders. 53 runs at different speeds and with different exposed lamp face orientations were made. Results show that a safety redesign of the lamps might reduce penetration probability and result in a lamp that will not penetrate windshields at less than approach landing speeds.