airport lighting - you must know [atc for you]

Summary

This video script delves into the critical role of runway lighting systems in aviation, especially during low visibility conditions. It outlines various types of lights, including runway edge, threshold, and taxiway edge lights, each with specific colors and functions. The script also covers advanced systems like PAPI for approach guidance and Lead-In Lighting for hazardous terrain. The importance of in-pavement lights, such as runway centerline and touchdown zone lights, is highlighted, along with their color coding to warn pilots. The video concludes by emphasizing the control tower's role in adjusting lighting based on weather and regulations, ensuring pilot safety.

Takeaways

• ✈️ Runway edge lights with a white glow outline the runway, with yellow lights in the last 2,000ft indicating caution.
• 🚨 Threshold lights use green to mark the landing threshold and red to signify the runway's end for departures.
• 🟥 Red and yellow runway edge lights delineate a displaced runway area usable for take-off but not landing.
• 🛫 Taxiway edge lights emit blue to define the taxiway's limits.
• 📉 The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) provides a white and red light pattern for visual approach slope guidance.
• 🌟 Approach lighting systems, like ALSF-2, assist pilots in transitioning from instrument to visual flight for landing.
• 🔄 Sequenced flashing lights emit continuous white light to guide pilots during the approach phase.
• 🛑 Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) offer rapid identification of runway thresholds, especially on non-precision approach runways.
• 🛤️ The Lead-In Lighting System offers visual guidance along curved or straight paths with potential hazards.
• 🔴 Runway centerline lights change to alternating red and white and then red in the last 3,000ft to warn of the runway's end.
• 🛑 Runway guard lights and stop bar lights provide visual indications to prevent unauthorized entry onto active runways.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of runway lighting systems?

The primary purpose of runway lighting systems is to assist pilots during night flights or in conditions of poor visibility due to weather conditions like fog, snow, or rain.

How are runway edge lights positioned and what colors do they emit?

Runway edge lights are placed along the full length of the runway in two parallel rows equidistant from the centerline. They emit a white glow, but in the last 2,000ft, which is the caution zone, yellow lights replace the white ones.

What is the significance of yellow lights in the caution zone of a runway?

Yellow lights in the caution zone, which is the last 2,000ft of the runway, indicate caution for pilots on roll-out after landing.

How do threshold lights help pilots during landing and take-off?

Threshold lights emit green light outward from the runway and red light toward the runway to mark the ends. Green indicates the landing threshold to arriving aircraft, while red indicates the end of the runway for departing aircraft.

What is the purpose of the displaced runway area lighting?

When the displaced runway area is usable for take-off, red and yellow runway edge lights are installed to delineate its outline. The threshold lights are located outboard from the runway, and in this case, they are installed in red to alert landing pilots of the non-landing area.

What role do taxiway edge lights play in airport navigation?

Taxiway edge lights define the lateral limits of the taxiway or apron and emit a blue light to guide pilots during taxiing.

How does the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) assist pilots?

The PAPI provides visual approach slope information with a white and red light projection pattern along the desired descent path to the touchdown point, allowing pilots to determine if they are high or low relative to the ideal glide path.

What is the function of the approach lighting system in landing?

The approach lighting system helps pilots transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing, especially in very low visibility conditions, by providing lights that they might notice before the runway itself.

What is the purpose of Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)?

REIL consists of a pair of synchronized flashing lights located laterally on each side of the runway threshold. Its primary function is to supply rapid and positive identification of the end of a runway, particularly for non-precision approach runways or when additional identification is needed.

How does the Lead-In Lighting System contribute to safe landings?

The Lead-In Lighting System provides positive visual guidance along an approach path, either curving or straight, where special problems like hazardous terrain, obstructions, or noise abatement procedures exist.

What are the characteristics of runway centerline lights?

Runway centerline lights are located along the runway centerline at 50-foot intervals, emitting white light. However, the last 3,000ft of the runway is color-coded with alternating red and white lights starting from 3,000ft, and red lights in the last 1,000ft to warn pilots of the impending runway end.

Outlines

00:00

🛫 Runway Lighting Systems Explained

This paragraph discusses the critical role of runway lighting systems in aviation, particularly in low visibility conditions such as darkness, fog, snow, or rain. It covers various types of runway lights including runway edge lights that outline the runway with white lights, except for the last 2,000ft where yellow lights indicate caution. Threshold lights use green to mark the landing threshold and red to signify the runway's end. Displaced runway areas are marked with red and yellow lights, and the non-landing nature of these areas is indicated by red threshold lights. Taxiway edge lights are blue and define the taxiway limits. The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) provides visual guidance for the ideal approach slope with white and red lights, while the approach lighting system (ALSF-2) assists pilots transitioning to visual flight for landing. Other lights include Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) for runway threshold identification, Lead-In Lighting Systems for hazardous terrain, and in-pavement lights like runway centerline lights with color coding near the runway end, touchdown zone lights, taxiway center-line lights, and runway guard lights.

05:00

🚨 Airport Lighting: Safety and Guidance

The second paragraph focuses on additional airport lighting systems that ensure safety and provide guidance to pilots. Stop bar lights, which are red and operated during low visibility, signal when pilots should not enter the runway. Lead-on and off lights guide pilots transitioning to and from the runway with alternating green and yellow lights. Rapid exit taxiway indicator lights, installed with unidirectional yellow lights, help identify these taxiways in poor visibility. The paragraph also mentions that runway markings and lighting systems vary by runway type and are adjusted by control tower operators based on weather conditions and regulations. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to like and subscribe for more informative content.

Keywords

💡Runway Lighting System

The 'Runway Lighting System' refers to the array of lights and signals that guide pilots during takeoff and landing, especially in low visibility conditions. This system is crucial for ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. In the script, it is mentioned that runway edge lights outline the edges of runways with white lights, and yellow lights in the last 2,000ft of the runway indicate caution. This system is integral to the video's theme as it sets the stage for understanding various airport lighting configurations.

💡Runway Edge Lights

These are lights placed along the full length of a runway in two parallel rows to mark the edges. They are described in the script as having a white glow, with yellow lights in the caution zone. 'Runway Edge Lights' are essential for helping pilots navigate the runway's boundaries, particularly in poor visibility conditions, and are a key component of the video's discussion on airport lighting.

💡Threshold Lights

'Threshold Lights' are lights located at the beginning of the runway. They emit green light outward from the runway and red light toward the runway, marking the runway's end. These lights are vital for indicating the landing threshold to arriving aircraft and the end of the runway for departing ones. The script uses threshold lights to illustrate the visual cues that help pilots transition from instrument flight to visual flight.

💡Displaced Runway

A 'Displaced Runway' is a section of runway that is not usable for landing but can be used for takeoff. The script mentions that when this area is usable for takeoff, red and yellow runway edge lights are installed to delineate its outline. This concept is important in the video as it highlights the specific lighting configurations required for different operational needs of runways.

💡Taxiway Edge Lighting

This refers to the configuration of lights that define the lateral limits of taxiways or aprons. As stated in the script, taxiway edge lights emit blue light. These lights are crucial for guiding aircraft on the ground, ensuring they stay within the designated paths and contribute to the overall safety of ground operations, which is a significant aspect of the video's content.

💡Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)

The 'Precision Approach Path Indicator' provides visual guidance for the approach slope during landing. The script describes it as projecting a pattern of white and red lights along the desired descent path. This system is essential for pilots to gauge their position relative to the ideal glide path, and it is a key element in the video's discussion of approach lighting systems.

💡Approach Lighting System (ALS)

The 'Approach Lighting System' aids pilots in transitioning from instrument flight to visual flight during landing, especially in low visibility. The script mentions the ALSF-2 configuration, which is commonly used for precision approach runways. This system is highlighted in the video as a fundamental part of ensuring safe landings under various weather conditions.

💡Sequenced Flashing Lights

These are part of the approach lighting system and emit a continuous white light from the end of the approach light to the 1,000-foot bar. As described in the script, they help pilots navigate the approach path. 'Sequenced Flashing Lights' are an important aspect of the video's exploration of how lighting systems assist in aircraft operations.

💡Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)

The 'Runway End Identifier Lights' are a pair of synchronized flashing lights located on each side of the runway threshold. According to the script, their primary function is to rapidly and positively identify the end of a runway. These lights are crucial for non-precision approach runways and are a key concept in the video's discussion on runway threshold identification.

💡Lead-In Lighting System

This system provides visual guidance along an approach path, particularly where there are special considerations like hazardous terrain or noise abatement procedures. The script explains that it consists of flashing lights installed along the approach path. 'Lead-In Lighting System' is an important concept in the video as it demonstrates how lighting systems can be tailored to specific airport conditions.

💡In-Pavement Lights

These are lights installed within the pavement itself, used when standard lights cannot be placed due to the aircraft's path. The script mentions runway centerline lights as an example, which are in-pavement and spaced at 50-foot intervals. 'In-Pavement Lights' are a significant part of the video's narrative on specialized lighting solutions for airport operations.

Highlights

Runway edge lights outline the edges of runways with white glow, changing to yellow in the last 2,000ft as a caution indicator.

Threshold lights use green for landing threshold and red for marking the runway end, aiding in aircraft approach and departure.

Displaced runway areas are marked with red and yellow lights when usable for take-off but not for landing.

Taxiway edge lights emit blue light to define the lateral limits of taxiways or aprons.

Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) provides visual approach slope information with white and red light patterns.

Approach lighting system facilitates transition from instrument to visual flight, crucial during low visibility landings.

ALSF-2 is a common configuration for precision approach runways, located 2400ft from the threshold.

Sequenced flashing lights emit continuous white light, guiding pilots from the end of approach to 1,000-foot bar.

Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) are synchronized flashing lights for rapid identification of runway ends.

Lead-In Lighting System offers visual guidance along curved or straight approach paths with special considerations.

Runway centerline lights, located at 50-foot intervals, change color to warn pilots of impending runway end.

Touchdown zone lights on precision approach runways indicate the touchdown zone with steady-burning white lights.

Taxiway center-line lights in green provide guidance between runway and apron areas.

Runway guard lights in yellow at runway holding positions warn of active runway approaches.

Stop bar lights, a row of in-pavement red lights, signal to stop before entering a runway.

Lead-on and off lights guide pilots entering or exiting runways with alternate green and yellow lights.

Rapid exit taxiway indicator lights, unidirectional yellow, help identify rapid exit taxiways in low visibility.

Airport lighting systems are operated not only at night but also in poor weather conditions, adjusted by tower controllers.

Transcripts

The lighting system is the most helpful to the pilot

in the dark of night,

or in poor visibility due to fog, snow or rain.

Today, let's look at the runway lighting system.

Runway edge lights are used to outline the edges of runways.

These lights shall be placed along the full length of the runway

in two parallel rows equidistant from the centerline.

The runway edge lights have a white glow.

In the caution zone, which is the last 2,000ft of the runway,

yellow lights replace the white lights.

The yellow lights indicate caution on roll-out after landing.

Threshold lights emit green light outward from the runway,

and red light toward the runway to mark the ends of the runway.

The green lights indicate the landing threshold to arriving aircraft,

and the red lights indicate the end of the runway for departing aircraft.

When the displaced runway area is usable for take-off,

red and yellow runway edge lights are installed to delineate the outline of this area.

In this case,

The threshold lights are located outboard from the runway.

The displaced runway is not usable for landing,

so threshold lights are installed in red to alert the landing pilot to this area.

Taxiway edge lighting systems are configurations of lights

that define the lateral limits of the taxiway or apron.

The taxiway edge lights emit blue light.

The ‘Precision Approach Path Indicator’ provides visual approach slope information.

The system provides a white and red light projection pattern

along the desired descent path to the touchdown point.

Landing pilots can determine whether they are high or low

relative to the ideal glide path by checking the number of

white and red lights.

PAPI is generally operated both day and night.

Approach lighting system provides the basic means to transition

from instrument flight to visual flight for landing.

Pilots landing on days with very low visibility will

probably notice these approach lights before the runway.

This configuration is an ALSF-2

commonly used for precision approach runways,

and is generally 2400ft from the threshold.

The approach lighting system includes flashing lights

called sequenced flashing lights.

The sequenced flashing lights emit a continuous white light

from the end of the approach light to the 1,000-foot bar.

The approach lighting systems are installed in a variety of lengths and shapes.

Let's look at typical configurations.

Runway End Identifier Lights can be installed

in the case of non-precision approach runways

or an additional need to identify the runway threshold.

This system consists of a pair of synchronized flashing lights

located laterally on each side of the runway threshold.

This is expressed through Runway threshold identification lights in ICAO,

and the primary function of the REIL is

to supply rapid and positive identification of the end of a runway.

The Lead-In Lighting System provides positive visual guidance

along an approach path, either curving or straight,

where special problems exist with hazardous terrain,

obstructions, or noise abatement procedures.

The Lead-In Lighting System consists of one or more series of

flashing lights installed along the approach path

and may be terminated at any approved approach lighting system.

Typical runway lights are lights that have some height from the ground.

However,

if lights should be installed on the path through which the aircraft passes,

it should be made of in-pavement light fixtures.

From now on, let's look at representative in-pavement lights.

The runway centerline lights are located along the runway centerline

at 50 foot equally spaced longitudinal intervals.

The runway centerline emits white light,

but the last 3,000 ft of the runway is color coded to warn pilots

of the impending runway end.

Alternating red and white lights are installed starting from 3,000 ft,

and red lights are installed in the last 1,000.

Touchdown zone lights are installed on some precision approach runways

to indicate the touchdown zone.

The system consists of steady-burning white lights

which start 100 feet from the threshold

and extend to 3,000 feet.

Taxiway center-line lights provide taxi guidance

between the runway and apron areas.

Taxiway center-line lights are green.

Runway guard lights are yellow and should be installed at the runway holding position.

They provide a visual indication to anyone approaching the runway holding position

that they are about to enter an active runway.

Stop bar lights provide a distinctive “stop” signal to anyone approaching a runway.

A stop bar consists of a row of unidirectional, in-pavement red lights

and an elevated red light on each side of the taxiway.

The stop bar lights are generally operated at low visibility conditions.

Pilots can enter the runway only with the stop bar lights off

and the controller's permission.

It is set to be manually operated by the control tower

or automatically operated by the sensor.

Lead-on and off lights provide visual guidance to pilots

entering or exiting the runway.

Alternate green and yellow lights are installed

from the taxiway center-line to runway center-line.

In airports with ‘rapid exit taxiways’,

‘rapid exit taxiway indicator lights’ are installed

to make it easier for pilots to identify the location of these taxiways

in low visibility conditions.

‘Rapid exit taxiway indicator lights’ shall be installed

with unidirectional yellow lights.

In the last video,

we learned that runway markings change depending on the runway type.

The required lighting system is also different

depending on the runway type.

Every runway lighting system is operated

not only at night but also when the weather is bad.

The controller at the control tower generally adjusts

the intensity of the lighting

based on the regulations

and turns on or puts out lights.

We have now learned about the lighting systems at the airport.

We will end here today.

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