Definition
On a two-bar Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI), the Far Bar is the row of light units installed farther from the runway threshold. Together with the Near Bar, it defines the visual glide path: when the pilot sees the Near Bar white and the Far Bar red, the aircraft is on the correct approach slope to the runway.
Plain English
The Far Bar is the set of approach lights placed farther down the runway in a two-bar VASI system. Its colour, combined with the colour of the closer set of lights, tells the pilot whether they are too high, too low, or right on the correct path down to the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen on final approach when using a VASI beside the runway.
Derivation
Plain English. 'Far' simply describes its position relative to the threshold compared with the other bar (the Near Bar). The pair is named by distance from where the airplane is about to touch down.
Why Pilots Care
Correct interpretation of the far bar helps the pilot stay on the intended approach angle and avoid landing short or long.
Intuition Check
“Far” does not mean the light is far away in a general sense; it means this VASI light row is the one farther down the runway side compared with the near bar. The far bar must be read together with the near bar, not by itself.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot saw the Near Bar white and the Far Bar red, confirming the airplane was on the correct VASI glide path.
Example Sentence 2
If both the near bar and far bar appear red, the pilot knows the approach is too low and adds power to climb back to the proper angle.