The Use of UAV in PAPI System Inspections

This article discusses the purpose of aeronautical approach lights for landing and describes the operation of the most popular visual system. In addition, an exemplary schedule describing the periodic verification that the PAPI system must undergo has been presented. The hitherto method of carrying out the verification of indications was discussed, as well as the proposed innovative method of carrying out the verification using an UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), where its general solution concept was described. Moreover, the structure and operation of the program responsible for the autonomous light detection of the PAPI system and verification of their indications were discussed. A simulation was carried out using the available recordings, and then the results were described.