Temporary Installation of PAPI/A - PAPI Systems

View DOT/FAA/AR-01/111 "Temporary Installation Methods for PAPI/A-PAPI Systems" This final report is available in  *.pdf format and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is approximately 2.4MB in size.

Airports have a need to temporarily install a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) or an Abbreviated PAPI (A-PAPI) to provide accurate approach slope guidance where a runway threshold is temporarily displaced due to construction or maintenance projects. Airports have been reluctant to pour concrete foundations for temporary installations because of the cost and impact on operations. However, the vertical alignment of the PAPI system is critical. A temporary installation method must take into consideration the need for enough rigidity and stability to maintain the proper aiming angles without excessive field monitoring.

The objectives of the testing are as follows:

  • Determine the typical temporary installation methods presently being used and when and what length of time the temporary PAPI or A-PAPI units are being used.
  • Develop an inexpensive, easily installed, and sufficiently rigid base upon which airports can temporarily install PAPI or A-PAPI systems.
  • Determine which installations are appropriate to prevent frost heave.
  • Determine light unit re-aiming schedules for temporary units if re-aiming is found to be required more often than for permanent installations.

The testing was started with an airport survey. Several airports were surveyed to determine the current methods used in temporarily installations of PAPI, A-PAPI or Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) systems. The survey also determined the length of the time required for the installation and the time periods that they are used. Data was collected from a range of airports of different sizes and geographical regions. Regional data will help to determine the extent of the freeze/thaw concerns for maintaining the proper projection angle. This data will also pinpoint other climatic/environmental concerns that may only apply to specific regions of the country. The size of the airport (measured by number of operations and complexity of design) may indicate to what extent the airport can go to in installing a temporary system.

Installation methods warranting further testing were fielded at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. Data was collected over the course of one year to incorporate the effects of changes in seasons. Horizontal and vertical aiming angle data were the primary data collected. Also collected was subjective data regarding the rigidity and stability of the installation over time.

Contact Project Lead: Keith Bagot, AAR-410

Last Update:10/12/05