Visual Approach Path Indicators (VASI / PAPI / AAI)

[ianbache]

Here is a short video of this at RAF Wattisham with there Javelins in 1962

courtesy of Pathe


www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42024

[Carnaby]

Interesting. Note it's an RAE Thorn device. Wondering if it's a VASI or an early PAPI?

Graham

[ianbache]

Interesting. Note it's an RAE Thorn device. Wondering if it's a VASI or an early PAPI?

Graham

Now thats a question 1962 is the pathe date, i was tilted VASI but now you say PAPI im edging my bet to VASI but glad to be corrected?

[EGDGZTCW]

They're are VASI's, Visual Approach Slope Indicator. Two sets of three units either side of the runway. PAPI's, Precision Approach Path Indicator and only one set of four units to one side (left) of touchdown. PAPI replaced VASI at least in my experience.

[mawganmad]

Completely agree with EGDGZTCW on that.

Does anyone here know when visual landing indicators were first used, I'm thinking late wartime?

[canberra]

PAPIs didnt rear their ugly head until the early eighties.

[Carnaby]

Does anyone here know when visual landing indicators were first used, I'm thinking late wartime?

Start from post 321

Graham

[Smoggieboy]

Remembering helping ? the airfield electrician at Teesside airport changing the bulbs on the PAPIS in 1981, while on work experience !!

[dbish]

PAPI's were installed at RAF Linton on Ouse in 1980. I was a runway controller in those days and a part of our duties was to check the PAPI's to ensure all lights are working and at the correct degree.

Similar in the way we had to check VASI's.

For your information, I am a retired RAF Air Traffic Controller.

[jamesinnewcastle]

Hi All

When were the first Visual Slope Indicators Introduced? I may not have the title right and there may have been many different titles and versions.

So my question actually is "when were those lights introduced that had a specific function of showing a pilot that he was either too high or too low on the glidepath? "

Depending on the answer I may have supplemental questions of course but just to keep it simple at first!!


Cheers

James