PAPI by Research Engineers

Why Research Engineers PAPI?

Development and use of RE PAPI

Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) was devised at the Royal Aircraft Establishment Bedford in 1974, and developed over the ensuing two years. Research Engineers (RE) were pioneers in the development of PAPI, having produced and supplied PAPI units for the first PAPI trials conducted. The same design is still in use today. About 14.000 projectors have been sold worldwide. See the following testimonials: Birmingham, Heathrow, Manchester, Schiphol and Site References.

Construction

RE PAPI's compact modular construction and three point mounting system reduces field maintenance to the extent that only the elevation angle and cross leveling need to be checked. Each projector is secured to the base frame by three, quarter turn DZUS fasteners. If a projector does become defective, it can be replaced quickly and easily, and then taken to the workshop for repair. Research Engineers PAPI projectors are completely interchangeable. See what ICAO says. The re-lamping of projectors is also a very simple task.

Lens System

RE PAPI is fitted with a purpose designed parabolic reflector that produces a parallel light beam. This makes it possible to use a single lens system. Advantages of single lens system are as follows -:

• Optics demist automatically in a few minutes without the need for separate heating circuits.
• Modern high transmission dichroic filters with brighter, more accurate red colour are used.
• Less surface reflections means better signal contrast.
• Less glass components in the light beam means lower absorption losses.
• Reduced brightness difference between red and white sectors of light beam means less pilot dazzle.