Definition
On a two-bar Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI), the near bar is the row of light units installed closer to the runway threshold. Together with the far bar (located further down the runway), it forms the visual glide path reference: when the pilot sees the near bar white and the far bar red, the aircraft is on the correct approach slope.
Plain English
The set of VASI lights nearest to the start of the runway. It works with a second set of lights further along to show the pilot whether they are coming in too high, too low, or just right.
Context Anchor
Seen when using VASI lights during final approach to landing.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing which set of lights is the near bar allows correct interpretation of VASI indications so the pilot can maintain the proper glide path and avoid landing short or long.
Intuition Check
“Near bar” does not mean a physical bar or obstacle near the runway. Here, “bar” means a row of approach lights, and “near” means the row closest to the approach end of the runway.
Example Sentence 1
On final, 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 show red, the approach is too low and the pilot must add power to correct.