Instrument Rating Checkride Practice Test

PAPI lights, or Precision Approach Path Indicator lights, are indeed comprised of horizontal rows of colored lights. They are typically found along the sides of the runway and help pilots determine whether they are on the correct glide slope during the approach for landing.

The lights generally consist of a series of four or two light units that alternate between red and white colors. If a pilot sees more white lights, it indicates they are above the glide slope; more red lights suggest that they are below the glide slope. The presence and arrangement of these horizontal bars allow for straightforward visual guidance, making them an essential tool for instrument approaches, particularly in conditions of reduced visibility.

Other options do not accurately describe PAPI lights. Vertical flashes or fixed beacons, while they serve their own purposes in aviation, do not relate to the specific configuration and function of PAPI lights. Sequence lights provide a different type of information entirely related to glide slope indications, but they operate differently from the standard PAPI lights.