FAA to light runway at Natchez-Adams Airport

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 31, 2005

NATCHEZ &045; The Federal Aviation Administration is contributing something to the Natchez-Adams County Airport that will make the desired three-degree landing easier to achieve.

Contractors are working this week to install precision approach path indicator lights along the sides of the long runway.

The PAPI lights consist of four light boxes that hold a light, which changes from red to white, Airport Director Clint Pomeroy said.

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The goal is to align the aircraft so some lights are red and some are white &045; the perfect three-degree descent.

&uot;It’s really a simple thing, if you are high or low you see a different picture,&uot; he said.

&uot;(The pilots) are looking forward to it.&uot;

The project is funded through the FAA and costs the airport nothing.

&uot;It’s considered necessity equipment for runways that handle instrument approach or large aircraft,&uot; Pomeroy said.

&uot;This helps him transition to his landing a little smoother and safer.&uot;

Several corporate jets that land at the airport made installing the lights a necessity.

Pomeroy said the installation would take a few more weeks and once the contractor is through the FAA must check the lights with a flight check before they can be used by the airport.

The FAA will maintain the lights and will pay for any needed repairs in the future.