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Understanding PAPI Lights for Pilots

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Phyoe Wai Htet
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9 views1 page

Understanding PAPI Lights for Pilots

Uploaded by

Phyoe Wai Htet
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PAPI stands for Precision Approach Path Indicator.

It is a set of four lights


positioned on the left side of the runway to assist pilots during landing by
showing whether they are on the correct glide path. Each PAPI unit displays
either a white or red light depending on the aircraft’s approach angle. When
the pilot sees two white lights and two red lights, it indicates the aircraft is
on the correct glide slope. More white lights (such as four white) mean the
aircraft is too high, and more red lights (such as four red) mean the aircraft is
too low and must increase altitude to avoid danger. PAPI lights provide a
quick and simple visual reference that improves landing accuracy and safety,
especially during night operations or low visibility conditions.

These systems have an effective visual range of at least 3 miles during

the day and up to 20 miles at night.

What Pilot
Meaning
Sees

⚪⚪⚪⚪ Too high — must descend

⚪⚪⚪🔴 Slightly high

⚪⚪🔴🔴 Correct glide path (ideal)

⚪🔴🔴🔴 Slightly low — must correct

Dangerously low — risk of


🔴🔴🔴🔴
obstacle strike

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