Airfield lighting

Telephone Keith Spicer on +44 (0)1702 547866 for information on ADB airfield lighting, Alstom, Amerace, BICC airfield lighting, Crouse Hinds, Ensto, ERNI, Exel airfield lighting, Metalite, Osram, Phillips, Research Engineers, Siemens, Thorn and Sylvania portable lights.

Air Field Lighting Ltd

Maintenance Area, off Aviation Way,

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS2 6YF England

Contact - Keith Spicer

sales@iavna.net

Tel : 01702 547866

Fax : 01702 544792

The painted markings on airports are not especially useful to pilots at night since they are difficult to see. Various types of lighting aids are used to mark and identify different sections of the airport for night operations.

Taxiways are marked along their edges with blue taxiway airfield lights distinguish them from runways which have white runway lights along their edges. The intensity of runway and taxi lights can be controlled from the control tower and may be adjusted at the request of a pilot. The threshold of a runway is marked with two or more lights and obstructions or unusable areas are marked with obstruction lights.

Caution should be used with the engine start-up procedure at night since it is difficult for other people to determine the pilot intentions. Turning on the navigation lights can help warn other that the engine is about to be started.

Landing lights normally cast a beam that is narrow and concentrated Because of this, illumination to the side is minimal and taxi speed should be slower than normal. Initially, judgement of distances it difficult and it takes some adaptation to taxi within the limitations of the area covered by the landing light.

Night flying

During the early stages of night training, most pilots find the initial usual impressions after departing the airport to be vastly different those they are accustomed to during daytime flying. Therefore, orientation in the local flying area helps the pilot relate chart information to actual terrain and landmarks under night conditions.

Outlines of major cities and towns are clearly discernable at night and, under favourable conditions, are visible from great distances, depending on flight altitude.

On clear, moonlit nights, outlines of the terrain and other features are dimly visible. However, on dark nights, terrain features are nearly invisible except in brightly populated areas.

Collision avoidance

The position of other aircraft at night can be determined by scanning for navigation lights and anti-collision beacons. Since the arrangement of red and green position lights is the same as that used on boats and ships, the 'Red right - returning' memory aid is applicable. In other words, if the pilot observes red and green navigation lights and the red light is positioned on the right, the other aircraft is approaching.

If the white position light is visible, the other aircraft is on a heading that will take it away from the pilot's immediate area.

Runway lights for night approaches and landing

In some respects, night approaches and landings are actually easier than daytime ones since the air is generally smoother and the disrupting effects of turbulence and excessive crosswinds are usually absent. However, there are a few special considerations that apply to night approaches.

When landing at an airport at night - especially at an unfamiliar one - it is wise to make the approach to the lighted runway and then hover taxi using the lighted taxiways to the parking area. The heliport lights or runway lights provide an effective visual clue for judging the night approach. The lights seem to rise and spread laterally as the pilot nears the touchdown point.

Most pilots use landing lights for night landings, however, there is a point to be considered when doing so. The portion of the landing area illuminated by the landing light seems higher than the dark area surrounding it. This effect tends to cause the pilot to terminate his approach higher than normal. Also focusing attention on one point in front of the helicopter is poor practice. When using the landing lights, the pilot's sighting point should be at least on then forward limit of the lighted area