Index   106 -- Page 107 -- 108

12/10/15                                                                                                          AIM



  b. Operating Characteristics:                               A pilot on departure from the runway should
                                                              disregard any observations of flashing PAPI lights.
If an aircraft or ground vehicle occupies an activation
zone on the runway, the PAPI light fixtures on that                d. Pilot Actions:
runway will flash. The glide path indication is not
affected, i.e. the configuration of red and white PAPI        When a pilot observes a flashing PAPI at 500 feet
lights observed by the pilot on approach does not             above ground level (AGL), the pilot must look for and
change. The stand-alone FAROS system flashes the              attempt to acquire the traffic on the runway. At 300
PAPI lights when traffic occupies an activation zone          feet AGL, the pilot must contact ATC for resolution
whether or not there is an aircraft on approach.              if the FAROS indication is in conflict with the
                                                              clearance (see FIG 2-1-11). If the PAPI lights
  c. Pilot Observations:
                                                              continue to flash and the pilot cannot visually
A pilot on approach to the runway observes the PAPI           determine that it is safe to land, the pilot must execute
lights flashing if there is traffic on the runway             an immediate "go around". As with operations at
activation zones and notices the PAPI lights cease to         non-FAROS airports, it is always the pilot's
flash when the traffic moves outside the activation           responsibility to determine whether or not it is safe to
zones.                                                        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                  flashing lights (SFL) may be turned on and off. Some
executed a go around due to a FAROS indication that           sequenced flashing light systems also have intensity
is in conflict with ATC instructions.                         control.
NOTE-
At this time, the stand-alone FAROS system is not widely      2-1-9. Pilot Control of Airport Lighting
implemented and is used for evaluation purposes.
                                                              Radio control of lighting is available at selected
2-1-8. Control of Lighting Systems                            airports to provide airborne control of lights by
                                                              keying the aircraft's microphone. Control of lighting
   a. Operation of approach light systems and
                                                              systems is often available at locations without
runway lighting is controlled by the control tower
                                                              specified hours for lighting and where there is no
(ATCT). At some locations the FSS may control the
                                                              control tower or FSS or when the tower or FSS is
lights where there is no control tower in operation.
                                                              closed (locations with a part-time tower or FSS) or
  b. Pilots may request that lights be turned on or off.      specified hours. All lighting systems which are radio
Runway edge lights, in-pavement lights and                    controlled at an airport, whether on a single runway
approach lights also have intensity controls which            or multiple runways, operate on the same radio
may be varied to meet the pilots request. Sequenced           frequency. (See TBL 2-1-1 and TBL 2-1-2.)


Airport Lighting Aids                                                                                          2-1-11