FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Airspace and AirportsHard
A pilot on final approach observes the PAPI lights showing two white lights on the left and two red lights on the right. What does this indicate about the aircraft's position relative to the glidepath?
- AThe aircraft is slightly below the glidepath
- BThe aircraft is significantly below the glidepath
- CThe aircraft is slightly above the glidepath
- DThe aircraft is on the correct glidepath
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The aircraft is on the correct glidepath
A PAPI system has four lights in a row; when exactly two are white (nearest the pilot's left, farther from the runway) and two are red, the aircraft is on the correct glidepath. All white indicates too high, and all red indicates too low.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Slightly below would show one white and three red.
- B. Significantly below would show all four lights red.
- C. Slightly above would show three white and one red.
PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator)
A row of four lights beside the runway providing visual glidepath guidance; the combination of red and white lights indicates position relative to the correct glidepath.
- All white = too high
- Two white/two red = on glidepath
- One white/three red = slightly low
- All red = significantly low, dangerous
Memory trick: Two-and-two, right on cue