AIM

4/3/14

2−1−11

Airport Lighting Aids

b.

Operating Characteristics:

If an aircraft or ground vehicle occupies an activation

zone on the runway, the PAPI light fixtures on that

runway will flash. The glide path indication is not

affected, i.e. the configuration of red and white PAPI

lights observed by the pilot on approach does not

change. The stand-alone FAROS system flashes the

PAPI lights when traffic occupies an activation zone

whether or not there is an aircraft on approach.

c.

Pilot Observations:

A pilot on approach to the runway observes the PAPI

lights flashing if there is traffic on the runway

activation zones and notices the PAPI lights cease to

flash when the traffic moves outside the activation

zones.

A pilot on departure from the runway should

disregard any observations of flashing PAPI lights.

d.

Pilot Actions:

When a pilot observes a flashing PAPI at 500 feet

above ground level (AGL), the pilot must look for and

attempt to acquire the traffic on the runway. At 300

feet AGL, the pilot must contact ATC for resolution

if the FAROS indication is in conflict with the

clearance (see FIG 2−1−11). If the PAPI lights

continue to flash and the pilot cannot visually

determine that it is safe to land, the pilot must execute

an immediate “go around”. As with operations at

non-FAROS airports, it is always the pilot’s

responsibility to determine whether or not it is safe to

continue with the approach and to land on the runway.

FIG 2

−1−11

FAROS Glide Slope Action Points

Pilots should inform the ATCT when they have

executed a go around due to a FAROS indication that

is in conflict with ATC instructions.

NOTE

−

At this time, the stand-alone FAROS system is not widely
implemented and is used for evaluation purposes.

2

−

1

−

8. Control of Lighting Systems

a.

Operation of approach light systems and

runway lighting is controlled by the control tower

(ATCT). At some locations the FSS may control the

lights where there is no control tower in operation.

b.

Pilots may request that lights be turned on or off.

Runway edge lights, in−pavement lights and

approach lights also have intensity controls which

may be varied to meet the pilots request. Sequenced

flashing lights (SFL) may be turned on and off. Some

sequenced flashing light systems also have intensity

control.

2

−

1

−

9. Pilot Control of Airport Lighting

Radio control of lighting is available at selected

airports to provide airborne control of lights by

keying the aircraft’s microphone. Control of lighting

systems is often available at locations without

specified hours for lighting and where there is no

control tower or FSS or when the tower or FSS is

closed (locations with a part−time tower or FSS) or

specified hours. All lighting systems which are radio

controlled at an airport, whether on a single runway

or multiple runways, operate on the same radio

frequency. (See TBL 2−1−1 and TBL 2−1−2.)