Essential Tips for Airfield Ground Lighting Maintenance

“Essential Tips for Airfield Ground Lighting Maintenance: Recommendations from EASA, ICAO, and FAA”

Establishing a comprehensive maintenance schedule for Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) is essential to ensure operational safety and compliance.

While specific maintenance intervals can vary based on factors such as traffic density, environmental conditions, and equipment usage, the following recommendations integrate guidelines from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

1. Daily Inspections:

• Visual Checks: Inspect all lighting systems for burned-out lamps, broken lenses, and signs of misalignment.
• Operational Testing: Verify that all lights are functioning correctly and respond appropriately to control inputs.

2. Weekly Maintenance:

• Cleaning: Remove dirt, debris, and vegetation from light fixtures and lenses to maintain optimal visibility.
• Alignment Verification: Ensure that all lights are properly aligned according to design specifications.

3. Monthly Tasks:

• Electrical Testing: Measure insulation resistance and grounding to detect potential electrical issues.
• Fixture Integrity: Examine fixtures for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage, and replace components as necessary.

4. Quarterly Activities:

• Photometric Testing: Assess light intensity and distribution to ensure compliance with operational requirements.
• Control Systems Check: Test the functionality of lighting control and monitoring systems, including backup power supplies.

5. Annual Overhaul:

• Comprehensive Inspection: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the entire AGL system, including cables, transformers, and control systems.
• Upgrades and Replacements: Implement necessary upgrades or replacements of outdated or inefficient components.

These intervals are general recommendations. Aerodrome operators should tailor their maintenance schedules based on specific operational demands, environmental factors, and manufacturer guidelines. Regular training for maintenance personnel is also crucial to ensure adherence to current standards and the effective implementation of maintenance procedures.

By integrating these practices, aerodrome operators can maintain AGL systems that meet international standards, ensuring safety and reliability in all operating conditions.

Questions? Want to get support in setting up the right maintenance schedule or organizing an audit that looks at your current set up and the ideal maintenance set up? Contact us here.