Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) Outer Baffles An FAA team consisting of Nick Subbotin and support technician Scott Smith repaired and modified the damaged Runway 20 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) system at Truckee Tahoe Airport by installing and aligning custom metal baffles to meet FAA Flight Inspection Services requirements for sloping terrain on July 23, 2026. With the baffles installed, the VASI is ready to be recommissioned and now requires pilots to remain closer to the runway centerline and farther from the sloping terrain to see the VASI. During the winter of 2025, the VASI system light housing assemblies (LHAs) were damaged by snow removal equipment, leaving the system out of service. The VASI LHAs had previously been modified in 2024 by the FAA team with custom-fabricated metal shields, called baffles, to reduce the angular coverage of the lighting system on approach to Runway 20 to meet FAA Flight Inspection Services requirements for sloping terrain. The FAA team performed site surveys, installed baffles, and aligned them for VASI recommissioning. With the baffles installed, a pilot has to fly their aircraft closer to the runway centerline and away from the sloping terrain to see the VASI.

Nick Subbotin | ANG-E263