Page airport to get updated visual guidance lighting system

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Page Municipal Airport is updating its visual guidance lighting to aid incoming pilots.

On May 24, Page City Council approved a $62,835.26 payment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to get the project rolling. An advance payment from city funds will cover engineering and design support. Airport Manager Kyle Christiansen told council members that a grant will reimburse the funds. 

At the meeting, Councilor Brian Carey asked Christiansen about “the mechanics of the payment.” 

“So, even though we apply for the grant, we're pretty sure we're going to get it,” Carey said. “So, we’re really not at risk for anything?”

“It's strange,” Christiansen responded. “You have the overreaching FAA, and you have this little subcontractor group of technicians out of Flagstaff that kind of provide us all the services for our weather station, our lighting and such.  In order to get them motivated to move forward on the project, we have to pay them first.”

The new Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) system will replace the current Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) system.

According to FAA’s website (faa.gov), “The PAPI system is the current standard Visual Glide Slope Indicator (VGSI) consisting of four light boxes arranged perpendicular to the edge of the runway. It projects a pattern of red and white lights that provide visual approach slope information. PAPIs provide a definite white and red light projection pattern along the desired descent path to the touchdown point. PAPIs are designed to reduce Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) and landing distance over and under runs by assisting the pilot in establishing a stabilized descent.”

The FAA has the option to use LED PAPI systems. 

“The benefits of new LED technology include requiring less energy to create the same light output and extending the life of the PAPI lamps from 2,000 hours to at least 40,000 hours,” according to the FAA. 

Effective visibility is up to 5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles at night.