EVALUATION OF ECONOMICAL VISUAL APPROACH INDICATORS.

Abstract

An evaluation was conducted to determine the feasibility of a variety of 'low-cost' visual approach slope techniques intended to aid pilots in establishing a suitable glide path prior to landing. The techniques included three-color and two-color types. Assessing the suitability of the hardware was not essential to the evaluation. Emphasis was placed on determining photometric characteristics, effects of humidity and temperature upon beam structure, and usefulness as seen in flight. They were compared in flight tests to a two-box 'abbreviated' version of the U. S. Standard twelve-box Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI). Except for the two-box VASI, (1) all could produce misleading and possibly hazardous information when condensation or ice formed on the glass face-plates, and (2) none had a useful daytime range. Due to lack of boldness of presentation, all the three-color units were difficult to distinguish from runway edge and obstruction lighting. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0664246

Entities

People

  • D. Michael Brandewie

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Condensation
  • Critical Temperature
  • Glass Transition Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Indicators
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Transition Temperature
  • Visual Approach Slope Indicators
  • Wet Bulb Temperature

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Superconducting Magnet Technology
  • Systems Analysis and Design