J.O said
There are several posts throughout this thread from pilots who have operated into SFO recently and all of them have stated that the PAPIs have been out of service on 28L and 28R for some time now.
Actually, of those who have said they have flown in/out of KSFO in the last day or so it is 2 saying PAPI operational and 1 saying inop. And 2 to 0 for those who explicitly describe arriving:
http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5...ml#post7925962
Conducted LOC approach into SFO last night, glideslope out of service for both 28R & L due construction (until August 22nd) , PAPI was working last night. Departed this morning in relatively calm winds, visual approaches were in use for the 28's.
http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5...ml#post7925998
Departed SFO yesterday, no VASIS, PAPIS or ILS at KSFO. Only G/S available according to NOTAMS is what's in your FMS.
It sucks, it's asking for trouble.
http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5...ml#post7927159
I departed SFO a few hours before this tragic accident in a heavy jet.
Our approach to SFO was 'interesting' to say the least. It was the usual, over the field and downwind at 11000 ft, full speedbrake and lots of flap to get down before the inevitable early turn to base.
Cleared for a visual on 28L maintaining own separation from an A320 joining visually on 28R.
High ROD to catch up with the ideal vertical approach path while turning final while watching the other jet.
28L LOC transmitting so followed that, back to Vref+5 early to avoid overtaking the A320 on 28R but end up alongside.
Below 1000ft the (local) A320 flying visually on the right wanders off the centreline towards us. TCAS TA goes bananas but RA inhibited below 800ft. We quickly discuss going around before he corrects back towards his centreline. Look forwards to see four whites on the PAPI's (I had been concentrating looking right at the VERY close A320 for approx 10 secs).
Reduce thrust, set 1000ft ROD, regain profile by 200ft, flare and touch down.
All this after a ten hour flight when it's past 4am on my body clock. How nice it would have been to fly a nice lazy ILS instead.
It's an accident waiting to happen, and it did.
Edited to remove week old experience.