Editing Precision approach path indicator (section)

==Interpretation==
[[File:comparison_visual_landing_systems.svg|thumb|250px|Comparison of PAPI, [[Visual approach slope indicator|VASI]], and [[Optical landing system|OLS]] meatball and datum lights {{nowrap|(not to scale)}}]]
The ratio of white to red lights seen is dependent on the angle of approach to the runway. Above the designated [[glide slope]] a pilot will see more white lights than red; below the ideal angle more red lights than white will be seen. At the optimum approach angle the ratio of white to red lights will be equal, for most aircraft.

Student pilots in initial training may use the mnemonic
* WHITE on WHITE – "Check your height" (or "You're gonna fly all night") (too high)
* RED on WHITE – "You're all right"
* RED on RED – "You're dead" (too low)
until they are used to the lights' meaning.

[[Image:PAPI M39.jpg|thumb|Individual precision approach path indicator]]

PAPIs are calibrated relative to the Minimum Eye Height over Threshold (MEHT).<ref name="ICAO">{{cite book |title=ICAO Doc 9157, Aerodrome Design Manual. Fifth edition, 2021. Part 4, Visual Aids. Chapter 8 |publisher=ICAO |url=http://icscc.org.cn/upload/file/20220712/20220712090914_13813.pdf |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301152804/http://icscc.org.cn/upload/file/20220712/20220712090914_13813.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> For certain aircraft with a low pilot eye height, the pilot will see a "slightly low" indication even though they are on the ILS glideslope.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/publications/documents/content/cap-637/ |title=CAP 637: Visual Aids Handbook |date=31 May 2007 |publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)]] |isbn=978 0 11790 844 4 |access-date=5 November 2024 |orig-date=First issued January 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625184548/https://www.caa.co.uk/publication/download/12192 |archive-date=25 June 2024 |url-status=live |issue=2}}</ref> Pilot eye height is usually above the ILS receiver antenna.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-19 |title=Subject: Airbus Aircraft Data for Visual Aids Calibration |url=https://www.airbus.com/sites/g/files/jlcbta136/files/2021-11/Airbus-Aircraft-Data-for-Visual-Aids-Calibration-v5.0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120122413/https://www.airbus.com/sites/g/files/jlcbta136/files/2021-11/Airbus-Aircraft-Data-for-Visual-Aids-Calibration-v5.0.pdf |archive-date=2024-01-20 |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=Airbus |series=Issue 1.0 |id=REF:ME1911191}}</ref> [[Concorde]] had a particularly high eye height because the main undercarriage was so far behind the cockpit, so the pilots needed to land with a "slightly high" indication.<ref name="Bannister">{{cite book |last1=Bannister |first1=Mike |title=Concorde: The thrilling account of history's most extraordinary airliner |date=29 September 2022 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-241-55702-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QSthEAAAQBAJ |access-date=1 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

The light characteristics of all light units are identical. In good visibility conditions the guidance information can be used at ranges up to {{convert|5|mi|km}} by day and night. At night the light bars can be seen at ranges of at least {{convert|20|mi|km}}.

PAPI systems are readily available from airfield lighting manufacturers worldwide. PAPI is normally operated by [[air traffic control]] (ATC). If ATC services are not normally provided at an aerodrome, PAPI along with other airport lights may be [[pilot-controlled lighting|activated by the pilot]] by keying the aircraft microphone with the aircraft's communication radio tuned to the [[CTAF]] or dedicated pilot controlled lighting (PCL) frequency.