Precision approach path indicator: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:25, 1 March 2023

Revision as of 14:42, 1 March 2023

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[[Image:PAPI Jersey Airport.JPG|thumb|The PAPI can be seen to the right (non-standard) side of the runway. The aircraft is slightly below the glideslope.]]

==DevelopmentHistory==

The precision approach path indicator system was first devised in 1974 by Tony Smith and David Johnson at the [[Royal Aircraft Establishment]] in Bedford, England. It took them a further two years to fully develop the technology. Smith and Johnson's work was honoured by a commendation from the RAE, a Fellowship from the Aeronautical Society, an award from the American Flight Safety Foundation, and a Gold Medal from the British Guild of Air Pilots. Engineering firm Research Engineers (RE) were also heavily involved in the project, having produced and supplied PAPI units for the first trials that were conducted. The same design is still in use today, and in fact was used by NASA's Space Shuttle for its safe landing, for which Johnson was interviewed by UK local news media and TV.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.research-engineers.com/about_papi.html |title=Research Engineers PAPI |access-date=2017-05-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125163859/http://research-engineers.com/about_papi.html |archive-date=2014-01-25 }}</ref>

Smith and Johnson's work was honoured by a commendation from the RAE, a Fellowship from the Aeronautical Society, an award from the American Flight Safety Foundation, and a Gold Medal from the British Guild of Air Pilots.{{cn}}

PAPIs were used by NASA's Space Shuttle for its safe landing, for which Johnson was interviewed by UK local news media and TV.{{cn}}

==Meaning==