Evaluation of Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI).

This report describes the evaluation of the Precision Approach Path Indicator PAPI to determine whether the PAPI provides sufficient advantages over the current standard redwhite Visual Approach Slope Indicator VASI to warrant recommending it as the United States standard visual glidepath indicator. This process covered photometric testing, environmental testing, and flight evaluation. Various flight evaluations were accomplished at the FAA Technical Center ACY, Newark Airport, New Jersey EWR, Teterboro Airport, New Jersey TEB, and at bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey AIY. The results indicate that PAPI was preferred over the standard redwhite VASI system. In general, United States pilots find very little fault with the standard redwhite VASI system, and the PAPI is preferred mainly because it gives more rate and position information and because of its quick transitions from one color to the other. It is passive system no moving parts to wear out, meeting all of the operational requirements of a glide slope system, and requires less equipment and real estate than the standard VASI.