Although many aircraft are now fitted with some form of instrument approach aid, most landings are still performed manually by the pilot by visual reference to the ground. Even in the case of fully automatic landings by fixed-wing aircraft, the pilot monitors the progress of the landing by visual reference to ground-mounted lighting and marking. Visual aids, therefore, continue to fulfill a vital role in aviation. Operational procedures, aircraft characteristics and capabilities are constantly evolving, producing new visual cues problems. It is therefore essential that within the aviation industry there should be a continuing R&D effort to ensure that the visual aids provided are adequate to ensure safe aircraft operations. The recent development of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) is an example of an equipment designed to meet the needs of a changing operational environment.


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    Title :

    Airfield Visual Aids Research at the Royal Aircraft Establishment


    Contributors:
    A. J. Smith (author)

    Publication date :

    1981


    Size :

    29 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English