Non-precision approaches and Papi
I often operate into an airfield that has a non-precision approach onto the landing runway. The approach used to have a descent gradient of 3degrees to just under three miles and then a steeper approach to the runway. Under Eu-ops this has been changed to a continuous 3.34 degrees continuous descent.The problem however is that the airport has a displaced threshold and the Papis are set to 2.73 degrees. Under the old system the transition from the approach to the papis would have been easier but now at MDA you would will invariably be looking at four whites. The threshold is displaced to protect the localizer antenna for the other runway but the localizer hasn't been servicable for almost ten years.Additionally the papis are sited only 450 feet from the displaced threshold and ths do not give the MEHT for a large aircraft.
The set up onto this runway is not helped by the fact that the majority of the bulbs in the papi installation are unservicable, and only a few of the lights are visible in daylight hours.
Is there any legislation that could be used to complain to the airport management company about the unsuitability of the current set up?
Last edited by tubby linton; 13th May 2013 at 19:12.