PAPI/VASI lights messed up on certain airports

[BurgerJonas]

Had this problem for a while. Reinstalling FSX didn't solve it. It only occurs on some airports. As you can see in the screenshots the PAPI/VASI lights are misplaced and does not function the way they are supposed to. The only time they change from yellow to red is when you are on the runway, and that changes all lights instantly to red. This is Gold Coast Airport (formerly known as Coolangatta Airport) (YBCG) for those who wants to check if you got the same issue at the same airport.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538193074
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538193204

Any ideas?

Don't be alarmed by my steep, way to fast approach. I merely did this to take the screenshot. No intention on landing like that. :)

[pirateinparadise]

Do you have any addons? The first photo looks like a messed up "bloom" effect. Which airport was it? One of us can try it.

[BurgerJonas]

Originally posted by pirateinparadise:

Do you have any addons? The first photo looks like a messed up "bloom" effect. Which airport was it? One of us can try it.

No addons for this particular airport. (YBCG) Bloom is not enabled so it shouldn't affect the lights.

[Ken "Hondo" Gardner]

There is a addon in the AVSIM library that will update YBCG I've installed it with positive results

[BurgerJonas]

Originally posted by KenGardner:

There is a addon in the AVSIM library that will update YBCG I've installed it with positive results

This problem is not exclusive for YBCG, but has happened on various other airports as well. Just chose YBCG as an example for the screenshots.

[yellowjacket]

Originally posted by JonasBecsan:

Had this problem for a while. Reinstalling FSX didn't solve it. It only occurs on some airports. As you can see in the screenshots the PAPI/VASI lights are misplaced and does not function the way they are supposed to. The only time they change from yellow to red is when you are on the runway, and that changes all lights instantly to red. This is Gold Coast Airport (formerly known as Coolangatta Airport) (YBCG) for those who wants to check if you got the same issue at the same airport.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538193074
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538193204

Any ideas?

Don't be alarmed by my steep, way to fast approach. I merely did this to take the screenshot. No intention on landing like that. :)

There is nothing wrong with the Visual Slope Indicator lights at YBCG. Those are called T-VASI type lighting.

In your 1st picture you are too high on the visual approach. There should only be a 2 light bars on each side of the runway displaying. You have additional single lights behind the 2 light bars which looks like a upside down T meaning too high. If single lights are in front of the 2 light bars (a proper looking T) you are too low.

The goal is to be sure the lights never resemble a T or a upside down T and only the 2 light bars on each side of the runway displays.

You should never see RED on the approach. If that happens you probably landed before the runway threshold.

EDIT---------------------------------------

Added a picture

http://s30.postimg.org/7veudue8x/image.jpg

[BurgerJonas]

Originally posted by yellowjacket:

Originally posted by JonasBecsan:

Had this problem for a while. Reinstalling FSX didn't solve it. It only occurs on some airports. As you can see in the screenshots the PAPI/VASI lights are misplaced and does not function the way they are supposed to. The only time they change from yellow to red is when you are on the runway, and that changes all lights instantly to red. This is Gold Coast Airport (formerly known as Coolangatta Airport) (YBCG) for those who wants to check if you got the same issue at the same airport.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538193074
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=538193204

Any ideas?

Don't be alarmed by my steep, way to fast approach. I merely did this to take the screenshot. No intention on landing like that. :)

There is nothing wrong with the Visual Slope Indicator lights at YBCG. Those are called T-VASI type lighting.

In your 1st picture you are to high on the visual approach. There should only be a 2 light bar on each side of the runway displaying. You have additional single lights behind the 2 light display which looks like a upside down T meaning too high. If single lights are in front of the 2 light display (a proper looking T) you are too low.

The goal is to be sure the lights never resemble a T or a upside down T and only the 2 light bar on each side of the runway displays.

You should never see RED on the approach. If that happens you landed before the runway threshold.

Thanks for clarifying. Then FSX must have got it wrong. I had a flight lesson there in February and the lights were indeed in a different configuration than in FSX. Guess one cannot expect too much from the default scenery. :)

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad196/JonasBecsan/on%20final_zpsronuqmyq.jpg

EDIT: Thanks for the helpful screenshot. Bear with me, I'm still learning. :)

[Bobcat999]

@Yellowjacket.

Thanks for clarifying that about the T-VASI. After all these years I honestly never knew and thought a few were messed up. I am off to check Wellington NZ again now as that must have a T-VASI. I thought it was messed up when it stayed white when I approched really low - now I know! This hobby amazes me more and more every day - Cheers!

[yellowjacket]

Originally posted by JonasBecsan:

Thanks for clarifying. Then FSX must have got it wrong. I had a flight lesson there in February and the lights were indeed a PAPI-configuration.

EDIT: Thanks for the picture. Bear with me, I'm still learning. :)

When the ARINC contractors scanned YBCG into FSX back in 2004 it was T-VASI's based on the Airport Information.

As per 2015 the Satellite photos show YBCG having T-VASI's not PAPI's. However the airport may have removed the T-VASI's and installed PAPI's. I do not have current Airport Information charts for Gold Coast but I do see the runway is now over 8000 ft. long with displaced thresholds and blast pads.

Keep in mind its not that FSX got it wrong but based on what the airport looked like in 2004 is what the stock airport will look like. As stated in this thread you may find a more current Gold Coast airport at some of the download sites.

[BurgerJonas]

Originally posted by yellowjacket:

Originally posted by JonasBecsan:

Thanks for clarifying. Then FSX must have got it wrong. I had a flight lesson there in February and the lights were indeed a PAPI-configuration.

EDIT: Thanks for the picture. Bear with me, I'm still learning. :)

When the ARINC contractors scanned YBCG into FSX back in 2004 it was T-VASI's based on the Airport Information.

As per 2015 the Satellite photos show YBCG having T-VASI's not PAPI's. However the airport may have removed the T-VASI's and installed PAPI's. I do not have current Airport Information charts for Gold Coast but I do see the runway is now over 8000 ft. long with displaced thresholds and blast pads.

Keep in mind its not that FSX got it wrong but based on what the airport looked like in 2004 is what the stock airport will look like. As stated in this thread you may find a more current Gold Coast airport at some of the download sites.

Gotcha. Posted a photo from my flight there in February 2015.

[yellowjacket]

Originally posted by JonasBecsan:

Gotcha. Posted a photo from my flight there in February 2015.

You are correct. They added dual PAPI's. Thanks for sharing. Now the satellite needs to fly over and take another picture.

[BurgerJonas]

Originally posted by yellowjacket:

Originally posted by JonasBecsan:

Gotcha. Posted a photo from my flight there in February 2015.

You are correct. They added dual PAPI's. Thanks for sharing. Now the satellite needs to fly over and take another picture.

Haha. indeed!

[Bobcat999]

Yep - after all this time, Wellington New Zealand is indeed a T-VASI. [slaps forehead!]

I though the VASI was messed up. There was me thinking I know everything and I had never heard of this before. I must be getting old and forgetful... What day is it!?...