Backus: Council decides to turn off PAPI lights at runway The lights were part of a contentious debate with landowners; however, the decision was made due to budget reasons. 3:00 am, Dec. 14, 2020 × After months of deliberation, the Backus City Council on Monday, Dec. 7, made an unexpected decision relating to the Backus Municipal Airport's nearly brand new precision approach path indicator lights. Council members agreed to turn off and remove the lights. The lights had been the subject of a somewhat controversial issue between the city and a family living on the edge of town adjacent to the runway approach. Due to aviation guidelines that changed during the city's original PAPI project, trees on the Risk family property would need to be removed for visibility. The Risk family objected to the tree removal.