Airfield Lighting Flashcards
incandescent lighting
the oldest lamp type. longevity based on temp generated. the higher the lumen, the shorter the life span
tungsten-halogen lighting
variation of incandescing lamps. commonly called “quartz lamps”. produce a hotter filament, and the quartz lens is better able to withstand the heat. longer lift, but very sensitive to temperature variation and lens contamination
florescent lighting
generated through low pressure gas discharge. use for lighting of airfield signs. used only at airports where low ambient temperatures are not routinely experienced.
Light emitting diode (LED)
brighter emanating light, has a longer lamp lift, and has lower power consumption. they do not generate heat to melt snow or ice accumulation. they may present a different color in perceived color or brightness than equivalent glass or plastic filtered incandescent fixtures. They should not be interspersed with incandescent
airfield lighting categories
runway and taxiway edge lighting systems, runway centerline and touchdown lighting systems, taxiway lighting systems, land and hold short lighting systems, miscellaneous airfield aids, approach lighting
runway lighting steps and wattage
steps 1-3. intensity of 15, 25, and 40 watts
steps 1-5 range of 15-200 watts. steps 4 and 5 are reserved for IFR conditions
low intensity runway lights (LIRL)
installed on visual runways (at small airports)
medium intensity runway lights (MIRL)
installed on visual runways or non-precision instrument runways
high intensity runway lights (HIRL)
installed on precision instrument runways
Medium intensity taxiway lights (MITL)
installed on taxiways and aprons at airports where runway lighting systems are installed
Runway Edge Lights
may be low, medium, or high. Medium and high emit while light except for the last 2,000ft. Then it is the caution zone with yellow lights . the lights are located parallel to the runway centerline at least 2ft but no more than 10ft from the edge of the full-strength pavement. longitudinal spacing should not exceed 200ft
threshold and runway end lights
designed to signify the runway threshold. threshold emits green light. runway end emits red light. the outermost light in each group is in line with the runway end lights. the other lights in the group are located on 10ft centers toward the extended runway centerline. visual runways must have 3 on each side. precision and non-precision must have 4 lights on each side
stop way edge lights
unidirectional red lights oriented toward the takeoff direction of the runway. placed along the full length of the stop way. spacing and location are the same as runway edge lights. must also be placed at the end of the stop way, same rues as threshold and end lights
runway centerline lighting
required for CAT II and III runways, and CAT I used for landing bellow 2,400 RVR. required on runways used for takeoff operations below 1,600 RVR. recommended for CAT I runways greater than 170ft wide or when used by aircraft with approach speeds over 140kts.
white, located along the runway centerline every 50ft. may be uniformly offset by 2.5ft. the last 3,000ft to 1,000ft color coded red and white. last 1,000ft red
Touchdown zone lighting
2 rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline. each bar has 3 unidirectional lights. touchdown zone lights extend 3,000ft or one-half the runway length for runways less than 6,000ft. the first light bars are located 100ft from the threshold
LAHSO lighting systems
consist of a row of six or seven in-pavement unidirectional pulsing white lights installed across the runway at the hold-short point
taxiway edge lighting
blue, not more than 10ft outward form the edge of the full-strength pavement. the spacing is based on taxiway configuration
taxiway edge reflectors
may be installed in lieu of taxiway edge lights or to enhance edge lights. reflectors are permitted in lieu of edge lights where a centerline system is installed
taxiway lighting system
such as taxiway centerline, RGLs, stop bars, and clearance bars are designed to facilitate taxiing and may be required during low visibility conditions
taxiway centerline lights
green lights unidirectional or bidirectional in pavement installed parallel to the centerline of a taxiway. lead-off lights are alternating green and yellow from the runway centerline to the taxiway centerline
stop bars
give a stop signal when approaching a runway with a row of unidirectional in-pavement red lights and an elevated red light on each side of the taxiway. in low vis conditions the are used to permit access to the active runway. they are required for operations below 600ft RVR on illuminated taxiway that provide access to the active runways
clearance bars
designed to advise pilots and vehicle drivers that they are approaching a hold point other than a runway, or that they are approaching an intersecting taxiway. consist of a row of three in-pavement yellow lights to indicate a low visibility hold point
Runway status lighting system (RWSL)
used to reduce the number and severity of runway incursions. they indicate the runway status only, not clearance. the system uses computer processing of integrated surface and terminal surveillance information to establish the presence and motion of aircraft and surface vehicles on or near the runway. It illuminates red RELs if the runway is unsafe for entry or crossing and illuminates red THLs if the runway is unsafe for departure. they system extinguishes automatically as appropriate when the runway is no longer unsafe
Instrument Approach Lighting
designed to facilitate the pilot’s transition from instrument to the runway. consist of:
sequence flashing lights, approach lights, crossbar lights, runway end identifier lights (REIL), visual slope indicators (VASI), or precision approach path indicators (PAPI)
