In-Service Testing PAPI Newark International

This report covers that portion of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) tests involving 4 months of in-service testing at Newark International -Airport, New Jersey. Basically, the PAPI was compared against the standard red/white Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) system at a large airport and on a runway with an Instrument Landing System (ILS).

The PAPI system was installed in a manner to take care of aircraft of all sizes; that is, different wheel-to-eye distances. The information was obtained from pilots of large commercial aircraft. Questionnaires from general aviation aircraft pilots ~ere not used for this particular report.

Results showed that under these conditions about 60 percent of the pilots (a total of 117 questionnaires) preferred the PAPI over the VASI system.