(a).
Flight crew looks over a mock-up of a newly developed visual landing aid, called narrow gauge.


(b).
Airplane in flight.


(c).
An Air Force cameraman makes some of the runs. An approach in almost zero-zero conditions.


(d).
The pilot is off to the left but by correcting toward the line of lights he can see, he lines up right on center.


(e).
Night sequence; plane in flight and landing.




Initials



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Background: Tests of a newly developed visual aid, called narrow gauge, consisting of two lines of high intensity lights recessed into the runway which mark a 60 foot wide path right down the center, are taking place at Dow Air Force Base, Maine. Air Force tests of the system involved over 1200 landings in nearly every type aircraft.

Despite fog and snow, the high intensity approach lighting leads to the approach end of the runway and narrow gauge takes over by positively identifying the runway centerline.

The narrow gauge system gives a visual recovery capability in all kinds of weather.