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.