PAPI & Airfield Photometric Calibration System — mobile (Unika / PAC, distributed by Vardhman Airport Solutions)
A paired photometric calibration solution — vehicle-mounted mobile runway/taxiway light measurement and tripod-based PAPI angle calibration — enabling airfield maintenance teams to verify ICAO and FAA photometric compliance on the airfield without the airport closing.
This product represents two complementary calibration instruments sourced from FB Technology (formerly associated with Unika/PAC) and distributed by Vardhman Airport Solutions: the Mobile Photometric Airfield Calibration (PAC) system for general airfield lighting, and a dedicated PAPI Photometric Calibration System for approach path angle verification. The Mobile PAC system mounts onto the front or rear of any standard maintenance vehicle. As the vehicle traverses the runway, taxiway, or approach lighting at speeds up to 60 km/h, a strip of photometric sensors continuously records luminous intensity from both inset and elevated fixtures. Data flows via WiFi or Ethernet from the sensor strip's PLC to a laptop inside the cab, with up to 65,000 samples storable per fitting and no hard cap on fixture count. The result is a real-time compliance map — each light measured against ICAO or FAA standards — without the need to close the runway for lengthy individual inspections. The PAPI Calibration System is a separate tripod-mounted instrument combining a PTZ camera, motorised axis, and gyroscope-based angle measurement. It calculates the precise transition angles of each PAPI unit, the full isocandela pattern, and azimuthal opening — the complete photometric characterisation required after initial installation or any glideslope adjustment — in under one hour per runway end. A database records all measurement sessions, and Wi-Fi connectivity allows immediate data exchange. Together, these tools are the standard means by which airfield electrical teams maintain photometric certification after lamp changes, capital upgrades, or periodic inspection cycles mandated by ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual Part 5 and relevant national CAA requirements. In GCC airports operating under high UV and thermal stress, calibration intervals are typically accelerated versus temperate climates, making a rapid on-vehicle measurement capability particularly valuable.
Technical specifications.
| Mobile PAC max survey speed | 60 km/h |
| Mobile PAC max samples per fitting | 65,000 |
| Mobile PAC measurement range | up to 30,000 cd |
| Mobile PAC operating surface | Dry or wet |
| PAPI calibration time (full 4-unit bar) | <1 hour |
| PAPI system angle measurement sensor | Gyroscope + PTZ camera + motorised axis |
| Data transfer | WiFi / Ethernet |
| Night operation | Yes (both systems) |
| Compliance standard | ICAO Annex 14 / FAA |
Use cases.
- ›Scheduled photometric compliance surveys of runway, taxiway, and approach lighting without runway closure
- ›Post-lamp-change or post-maintenance verification of inset and elevated AGL fixture output
- ›PAPI glideslope alignment and angle verification after installation, repair, or displacement due to ground works
- ›Building a time-stamped photometric maintenance database to support CAA audits and licence renewals
- ›Supporting rapid commissioning inspections on greenfield or recently upgraded runways
Replacements & compatible alternatives.
Comparable Runway Lighting & Airfield Electrical from other suppliers. Cross-shop on specs — confirm exact fit and compatibility with the supplier before specifying.
