New PAPI Unit from ADB

Over the last 25 years, PAPI has demonstrated to be the safest and most accurate approach path indicator. Since ADB's PPL 400 "twin lens in tandem" concept, there has been little news. With the mandate to "make it simple and easy to install and maintain" ADB designed the first technological breakthrough since the introduction of the PPL 400: the SPL.

Although the new PAPI keeps the concept of twin lenses in tandem, it is completely new. One of the optical channels disappears; there are now three reflector lamps of 105 W shining through the same lenses. This new design not only permits a reduction of power consumption from 400 to 315 W, but most of all it cares for reduced dimensions and consequently higher mechanical properties.

The new box, almost 50 % smaller in front surface, is much less sensitive to jet blast.
It features lower weight and altogether higher rigidity: there is less risk of distorting a unit during transport or installation. Part of the transition sector from red to white is usually due to alignment tolerances between the optical channels. With its single channel and twin lenses in tandem, the SPL offers the smallest transition sector.

But the main advantages can be experienced during installation, alignment and maintenance of the units. For the first time, the design takes the difficult conditions of the civil works into account. Thanks to the single channel design, two legs only are enough to ensure the stability. Not only fewer feet need to be fastened to the concrete slab, but each leg is now much quicker to adjust to length and to install.