Strange Airport lights - PAPI's

In this video I will start explaining the different lights that you can find on the airport and what their functions are.
The PAPIS's serves a very important function for us Pilots and I will tell you all about it in this video
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[@barryfowler954]

As an old Air Force pilot, we used to have a saying, "Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing, any landing you can walk away from and use the aeroplane again is a great landing" great video.

[@sasino]

Great quote, I keep hearing it over and over and it's always a good one

[@Geeky907]

My Uncle was a Bush-pilot in Alaska, He always said on landings " White-White - You'll be up all night" , "Red-over-white - We're Just right", "RED-RED - You're DEAD" ... a little uncooth but it helped me remember, and i was only 10yrs old the last time i flew with him... :)

[@elenaniculescu777]

Thats for VASI also white over red revert or your dead

[@plane15man]

I was landing at an unfamiliar airport and I was on what felt like a normal approach, but the papis were reading high. I start descending and descending and by the time I see 3 whites, I'm definitely too low. Maintained that altitude until I got back onto my normal approach and landed where I was supposed to. I notify the tower and they look into it, and a few days later I fly back to that airport and find out that a groundskeeper ran into it with lawnmower and knocked it out of alignment. Definitely an interesting thing to watch out for.

[@MentourPilot]

Great stuff! That just shows how important it is to rely on different sources of information and use always question the info you have. This is one of the primary reasons why Humans are still flying the jets and not computers.

[@cm7botekar]

LOL

[@tjbowen1104]

That's so dangerous! He should have told someone immediately.

[@Noio_]

Very instructive on how to not overemphasize PAPI lights on the sim. Thank you very much

[@MentourPilot]

Yes, it’s quite important. Unfortunately a lot of sim instructors over emphasize this to.

[@LinkinPark4ever79]

Mentour Pilot thanks for the bonus tip 😁

[@EdgyNumber1]

My FI wouldn't let me go solo until I hit the touchdown marker on every supervised landing. He gave me the exact same advice about the PAPIs. Nice video!

[@SamuelHMay]

Watched this during my approach in the sim... You took all my attention, so had to perform go around

[@MentourPilot]

That’s why we shouldn’t used PED’s during sterile phases of flight.

[@SamuelHMay]

Mentour Pilot I'll remember 😂 takk for fantastisk video! 🇩🇰 🇸🇪

[@bonbondesel]

Very good explanation ! I even remember that my flight instructor years ago always told me "now passing 200, disregard those lights, aim the touchdown point." Quite a good method to avoid the the problem explained in the video. I'm not a pro pilot and far from flying often. But I loved these last 200 feet because it was true manual visual landing. The real pilot thing. Thanks for your videos ! They're good !

[@MentourPilot]

Yes, wise man.

[@PolskiDziecak]

Lol the ending was awesome. Loved the small facts of the 737. Good way to end the episode!

[@MentourPilot]

Glad you liked it! Very few had guessed 6 cup holders.

[@spielgespieltDE]

I thought my entire life, that the PAPIS are controlled automatically... but it's just the viewangle which changes the lightd

[@MentourPilot]

Yes, that’s correct.

[@769270865]

And there is another type of glide slope indicator it only has one lamp, I believe it shows red when too low, flashing white when in glide path, and solid white when above glide path. In some general aviation airport where the ATC is off duty during night hours, you can tune in a frequency and click on the mic to turn on, change brightness of the runway lights

[@chuckzc]

Aircraft carriers I think use the same principle but in a Christmas tree formation.

[@Rik079]

Yeah I thought they were connected to radar

[@TheCCNAguy]

Matthew Wang I believe that is called a VASI Visual Approach Slope Indicator

[@lloydmorrison5979]

I absolutely love your videos. A great pilot Always learns, a dead pilot knew Everything...(An old saying by my instructor) I have been so blessed to know awesome pilots who share with me.

[@leschase5936]

Thanks for the information result quiz on 737-800 on the cupholders at the end of the video. Great Videos, Thanks

[@MentourPilot]

Glad you liked it!

[@Karl-pm9hv]

Thank you for this video. I hold an approval to flight test these systems and your summary from an airline captain perspective was very informative. Especially the part about placing less emphasis on the final 200'. If I am stable at that stage I continue the approach visually to the aim point mark and do a final assessment of the 50' eye height above threshold. Assuming the approach has been stable, even in a light twin, you can usually assess the touch down point as being within acceptable limits of the runway marking. As an aside, not many runways I check have ILS and only a GNSS RNP or other NPA. A check is made at the FAF that the on slope indication at the published altitude is correct.

[@antimonni]

Yet another great video! I love the little details or these tiny chunks of knowledge you put in your videos like the mentioned effect of overemphasizing the PAPI on final. Would have never even thought of it from that pov... (as a simulator pilot)

[@MentourPilot]

Exactly. That’s why I am here. I don’t go down to deep in technical details, I focus on these types of facts instead.

[@sharvari7253]

Thanks for another wonderful video!!! Have a nice day!😊😊

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! You too!

[@jessijacobs8]

With all your videos I have developed an even bigger respect for air flight, moreso for the hard work pilots have to do. It truly is incredible ALL the details needed to perform your job 👏👏 Petter, ever considered lecturing at Universities or Flight Schools? Your explanations and detail is so well executed 🙌🙌

[@ljlacierda8358]

Me too. I once thought of becoming a pilot and my dad stopped me saying that I would "just be a driver".

[@StellarSTLR1]

Youve come a long way in 5 years! Its cool to see.

[@chrismacdonald.6295]

Thank you for this. I see you haven’t had a comment for a while now. With the release of MS2020 videos like this are so helpful. I respect your intelligence and skill. Thank you.

[@eeprom34]

thank you very much for all his excellent lessons and information that you offer with an excellent pedagogy I was looking for explanations on how the PAPI works and you brought them. thank you again for the work you do and the quality of the information you provide. Thanks Captain.

[@bhaveshchawla9693]

Captain ur videos are too good and explains very easily

[@daveturner5305]

Over the years as a passenger I'd often flown, before security crackdowns, as a pilot's guest in the cockpit on commercial airlines. The issue that has always confused me has been the apparent lack of forward visibility from the cockpit. The instrument binnacle is so high that one wonders just how much can be seen; particularly when landing.

[@Grovreicraynth]

Great video captain. Really helpful for aviation students like me who are planning on becoming an airline pilot soon

[@MentourPilot]

I hope it will help my friend. Good luck!

[@fiftydoggy6627]

You're cool. Love your channel. Professional

[@MrJitendra007]

Fantastic video, this is what I was waiting for....keepup .

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! Im glad you liked it!

[@thibault3604]

Wow 6 cup holders isn't really what I expected :p Very good video mentour (as always!)

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it!

[@ThomasGrillo]

Thanks. As I try to make runways in Minecraft as realistic as possible, I usually try to include the PAPI system. It's not at all easy, but it works. :)

[@nashiPAGE]

Great education as always!

[@MentourPilot]

Glad you liked it!

[@thabisomoses1123]

Woooww!!! a great lesson indeed,, soo below 200 feet I shouldn't be focusing on the PAPIS but rather the Centre line? Thanks mentour,, through this channel you've made my Flying training a lot easier!!! Still doing my PPL!!

[@MentourPilot]

Well, centerline and touchdown zone + aiming point. Great to hear that you liked it!

[@1Miguellima]

I am loving these videos,I am learning a lot.

[@MentourPilot]

Great to hear!

[@AlphaSimmer]

Thank you for your very useful information Capt. Happy New year !!! cheers

[@MentourPilot]

Happy new Years! Glad you liked it!

[@marcellok2479]

Thank you Mentour for yet another very informative podcast. However, I understand from this explanation that you shouldn't bother too much about the PAPI when you are still at approx. 1000 ft and also not if you are already at approx. 200 ft. In addition you state that the PAPI should not be over-emphasized, but that you should focus on your target in the landing zone (as you would also do if there are no PAPI). Now, what this all comes down to is that somewhere between 1000 ft and 200 ft you may expect to see 2 whites and 2 reds, but if not, you should ignore it. What is then the value of the PAPI in the first place? Thank you in advance for your valued reply.

[@timmo5443]

Brilliant explanation

[@RahmanSajid]

Great video Mentour, have a happy new year mate

[@MentourPilot]

Happy New Year!

[@smokessauce]

Great explanation!!

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

Like the way mentour says the PAPI lights

[@markuspuetz7268]

I am not into flying, but your videos are super cool, easy to understand, well done!

[@yoyoututububee]

that was really helpful - the part about ignoring the PAPI’s at the final 300 ft

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! It should be helpful.

[@josephstarns4609]

I thought of the airports in my area use VASI lights. Touching on the differences could be an interesting video.

[@erich930]

The big difference between PAPI’s and VASI’s is that PAPI’s are more precise. PAPI lights can show you to what degree you are above or below glide slope, but VASI can only show you that you are high or low. Both lights can show if you’re on glide slope.

[@supernova7551]

Cool video, always wondered how those worked and why they existed, keep it up😀

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video!

[@manuelbonet]

Oh, great! A whole video about fathers! For any non-Spanish-speaking person: _Papi_ in Spanish is like _Daddy_ in English (with both meanings)

[@TB-if7px]

Just like in the Netherlands..

[@sierraromeomike]

In Hindi, papi = sinner

[@ShawnTheDriver]

And if you have a Hispanic girlfriend, Papi is what she calls you when....well, you know.

[@LinkinPark4ever79]

Shawn Lewis precisely what I thought hahaha

[@manuelbonet]

Shawn Lewis That's why I wrote the _with both meanings_ part...

[@ergio1]

As always... great video. Thanks

[@kicikici5]

Super! I like this info. Thank you 🤗

[@TimothyChapman]

I didn't know that there was a way NOT to use them. I thought it was just 2 white, 2 red and aim the plane at spot on the runway that the lights are marking. EDIT: Nice thumbnail by the way.

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you!

[@aaronrabinovich9935]

Thank you for advice!

[@ChuckS117]

Very clear and to the point. Subbed.

[@mx5mke]

All modern transport aircraft provide two REMOVABLE coffee holders. One occupies the left seat and is called "Captain". The second coffee holder occupies the right seat and is called "Hey, you!"

[@DITA881]

I like when this guy stands on the runway..so cool.

[@LinkinPark4ever79]

I love your channel Mentour ❤️ By the way, we’re on final approach for 100,000 subscribers! Could you also make another video about all other airport lights like taxiway or ramp lights and such?

[@danielsiwerov2151]

Great video :D I think you are right, that many people are aiming for the papi lights in the last couple of houndred feet instead of actually focusing on the touchdown zone. Did you take that picture with the papis in dense fog by yourself? It is really nice :D Kinda want this as a wallpaper :D

[@LACTS-be7pr]

Very professional. Thanks for your videos. Iam not a pilot but like planes. Tschuss!!!

[@monibstar]

Good one :) always wanted to know in detail about Papi lights :) thanks

[@mr_nice.]

what an absolutely fantastic channel!!!!!!!!

[@eddrosdick3724]

Can you explain EGT? Perhaps you already have but I missed it.

[@pilotlineup9859]

EGT stands for engine gas temperature

[@josephblanshan9892]

Mentour, you need to make a video (or videos) explaining everything in the cockpit and what each and every nob, switch, and button does!

[@MentourPilot]

Hahaha! That’s not a small task..

[@josephblanshan9892]

Mentour Pilot yyyeeeaaahhhh,,,,,,,, probably not

[@runarandersen878]

I learned something to day. I was aware of the lights, but not where they was. I will have a look next time.

[@MentourPilot]

Do that! A good day is when you learn something new!

[@runarandersen878]

Mentour Pilot : For sure. I often learn from your videos. Every time I travel by plane I feel I know a bit more what is going on and why things are the way they are, thanks to you and Captain Joe. (By the way: I took a flight on Google maps and found the lights on recent visited airports: Osl and Berlin Shcønefelt had lights on one side, and Evenes (in the north of Norway) had two - just like you said)

[@BrokebackBob]

What a great explanation!

[@markusdaxamouli5196]

Excellent exp.

[@rhythm9801]

Nice one Captain

[@megalomaniacal]

Please do a Boeing unboxing video.

[@MentourPilot]

I would love to

[@redsquirrelftw]

Or a tear down. Don't turn it on... Take it apaaaaart! Actually on more serious note it would be interesting to see what is involved in getting a new plane for an airline, like how it gets setup etc.

[@LouiethePilot-2Learn]

Thank you

[@fazehumanrightswatch943]

Mentour, will you ever upload any videos of you flying planes like Cessnas?

[@MentourPilot]

Maybe, would you like that?

[@fazehumanrightswatch943]

Yes please! That would be really cool

[@edwin3928ohd]

@@MentourPilot yes!

[@anzakaleem7932]

Hey Captain! It's sad to see the last video uploaded 2 months ago. End of February came and went. Hope you get back with your wings on and seat belts fastened soon. Cheers. -The one who got to sit in AirBerlin only once :(

[@sharoz6300]

Amazing thanku so much i really needed this ❤️

[@markrichards7164]

Fascinating information. Experienced the lights on a 737 flight simulator

[@napamodesto8001]

The coffee holders were designed with redundancy in mind so in the event 5 failed there would still be one coffee holder for the entire crew.

[@MentourPilot]

hahahah. No, its 2 for each operational pilot and 1 for each jumpseat.

[@Psychotol]

The error you describe sounds similar to "chasing the ball" if you're doing a dynamic carrier landing (as opposed to a vertical one), you start oscillating across the glideslope and risk a ramp strike or wasting your landing gear some point after the arresting cables.

[@jerremm]

Awesome, it did not occure to me they worked like that. I though it was some radar controlled thing. This is so clever!

[@MentourPilot]

It simple and it works, like an old Volvo.

[@jarod997]

PAPI: Precision Approach Path Indicator -- not to be confused with VASIS: Visual Approach Slope Indicator System, which can also be configured as a T-VASIS -- the same system, but configured as a "T". Perhaps you can do another video on VASIS. :)

[@oshane5027]

Great Video !!!

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@jguo]

I had a passenger sitting on the co-pilot seat asking what are those lights and why they are two white two red. I told her that means the runway is only 50% charged and she freaked out asking if that's still safe to land 🤣

[@SteenPedersen]

Argh...so many coffee holders :-) I have been at the jumpseat so many times and only seen the one I had :-) Together with my own oxygen mask and audiopanel :-)

[@MentourPilot]

Hahaha! Hence the question!

[@darrensoames]

6 cup holders!!! I didn’t imagine that many... it would seem you guys like your coffee ;)

[@MentourPilot]

Yep! true that!

[@ti10can]

Cool! Are you standing on real runway or green screen background?

[@maroon9980]

Real runway

[@kathy13volpe]

Great info!

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you Kathy! Glad you liked it!

[@kathy13volpe]

Mentour Pilot do you need permission to do your videos on an airport runway? It is awesome that you can! Love all your podcasts. Happy New Year 🎊⛄️❄️✨🌟✈️✈️✈️⛄️❄️❄️❄️

[@captgary278]

Merry Christmas Captain. Another video idea, explain the traveling white strobe lights just before the runway. Not sure if it is the same on planes as ship but the cabin crew get early departure (5 minutes before docking) if they deliver bad coffee :)

[@MentourPilot]

Great idea!

[@captgary278]

Which one? the lights or early debarking of the crew :) Wishing you a Happy New Year

[@Garysgoodguys]

ahh, I said five, happy new and thanks for another great video.

[@MentourPilot]

Hahaha, close but no pony.

[@piyushjoshii]

You are just amazing.

[@pasoundman]

An excellent explanation as always. Didn't the British come up with something similar for aircraft carriers ?

[@unnatiswami6109]

Good video

[@MentourPilot]

Thank you my friend!

[@BryanDorr]

This is an excellent video and thank you for doing these videos. I noticed the lights are in a row. Have you also dealt with two rows of lights like "red on white" approach lights? I also heard of these lights called VASI lights. Are there any differences between PAPI and VASI lights?

[@769270865]

Maybe it is a good idea to explain all glide path indicate light in AIM

[@Geflechtmeister]

And I hope you doing absolutely fantastic :D I love that :)

[@jumpnrun3368]

Poppy lights :)

[@foxlima]

the first time I saw you on this runway, I thought you were in a bluescreen studio :D

[@MentourPilot]

I know! A lot of people thought that.

[@suleymanthetufekci]

In these videos the sun brightness and your shadow looks the same. Do you wait for the exact time and weather for these videos? I mean if the clouds never moved i would have sworn that this is totally a bluescreen record with some real quality effects.

[@bobbernstein8824]

Where is this runway? It is a great setting for your podcasts!

[@kmtb2011]

from what distance can the PAPI lights are visable considering weather conditions are clear?

[@MentourPilot]

Very far out. Around 10nm if they are good.

[@leahknight1230]

hope you had a good xmas captain

[@MentourPilot]

I did! Thank you!

[@leahknight1230]

:) i wanted to ask when do you put the landing gear down ? i am not sure if its 15nm or 8nm

[@camerynharoldson8490]

ur awesome, love ur videos!

[@ashitbankar]

Can you make video on what is hot brake and braking system of aircraft

[@dominicarceo9637]

Mentour Pilot, There is a similar system is also use on aircraft carriers.

[@step2191]

great tutorial and nice filming location! :-)

[@yanparent2990]

4 whites, you're too close to heaven; 4 reds, you're too close to devil! I clearly remember my first time with a PAPI: it became a game changer for me, everything looked so easier!

[@MentourPilot]

Hahaha, thats a great saying!

[@coolbombe]

+I noticed that there are 2 whites and 2 reds on one side of the runway an 2 reds and 2 whites on the other. So it doesn't matter the order of the lights, correct?

[@markwilson7643]

Regarding the coffee holders. I work in electronic environments and no liquids of any type are allowed due to possible spills. Surprised they allow these in a cockpit.

[@poppyatcs4529]

I remember these being called VASI lights. Visual Approach Slope Indicators

[@wernerdanler2742]

I remember there being two rows of VASI lights. If both rows showed green you were in the glide slope. If the far row turned red you were to high and if the near row turned red you were to low. When and why did they change to PAPI? I have asked other pilots on KZbin and have gotten no response. I found the VASI lights as workable as the PAPI.

[@donaldsmith3048]

I have a recording of a comedian talk about them and said that if you see green you are very low because it is shining through the grass! LOL!

[@parteekmandhan7522]

Hello there. I really recommend making your own website, for example, Captain joe/ FO Joe.

[@MentourPilot]

Hi! Yes, my company has one: www.Mentour360.com but it needs some love.

[@miasteam1828]

I didn't hear (unless I missed it) you say what 'PAPI' stands for - 'Precision Approach Path Indicator'. One of the simplest designs ever - one bulb in each box, 2 lenses - red and white, showing the colour depending upon the angle. You said there were "bulbs" in each, suggesting a red bulb and white bulb - not so.

[@CP140405]

So a couple questions... what about aircraft with different seat to tarmac distances.... how does the PAPI change if you are flying a 747 vs. a King Air? Also... ever done a PAR (Precision Approach Radar)?

[@MentourPilot]

Hi. Normally the papis are Set for the bigger type aircraft and as such, smaller aircraft can see 3 reds towards the end of the approach whee a 747 sees 2/2 I have never flown a PAR Approach but o have flown a Radar NPA which is the non-precision equivalent.

[@MentourPilot]

Hi. Normally the papis are Set for the bigger type aircraft and as such, smaller aircraft can see 3 reds towards the end of the approach whee a 747 sees 2/2 I have never flown a PAR Approach but o have flown a Radar NPA which is the non-precision equivalent.

[@CP140405]

Thanks for the info about seat height above ground and the difference in the way PAPI appears. I confess that I have never flown a PAR approach.... although I have been the "Navigator Monitoring" on many occasions.

[@oicfas4523]

Americans love cupholders, including on their planes haha. I'm disappointed that none of them were extra large.

[@mx5mke]

Q.1: Is there a "minimum set" of landing aids your company requires to land at an airport? Q.2: Have you done a video on the most significant landing aids? (e.g. PAPI vs ILS, etc) and how you use the available aids (e.g. when transitioning from GPS to ILS to PAPI)