Evaluation of Precision Approach Path Indicator

This report describes the evaluation of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) to determine whether the PAPI provides sufficient advantages over the current stand red/whit e Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) to warrant recommending it as
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(ACY). The results indicate that PAPI was preferred over the standard red/white VASI system. In general, United States pilots find very little fault with t he standard
red/white 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 a 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.