What airfield ground lighting elements are key for a safe landing?
Safe landings are critical in aviation, and visual guidance tools at airfields play a vital role in assisting pilots. Here are the five key elements for a safe landing using visual guidance tools:
- Approach Lighting System (ALS)
The Approach Lighting System (ALS) is crucial for guiding pilots during the final approach to the runway, especially in low-visibility conditions. It consists of a series of light bars, strobe lights, and other visual cues extending from the runway threshold into the approach path.
– LED Lighting: Bright and energy-efficient, provides clear visibility over long distances.
– Sequenced Flashing Lights: Often known as the “rabbit,” these lights flash in a sequence to guide pilots to the runway threshold.
- Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)
The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system helps pilots maintain the correct approach angle. It is usually located beside the runway and consists of a row of lights that change colour based on the aircraft’s angle of approach.
– White Lights: Indicate the aircraft is above the glide path.
– Red Lights: Indicate the aircraft is below the glide path.
– Combination*: A mix of red and white lights indicate the correct glide path.
- Runway Edge Lights
Runway edge lights outline the edges of the runway and provide visual guidance during landing and take-off, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.
– White Lights: Typically used along the edges of the runway.
– Yellow Lights: Used on the last 2,000 feet or half the runway length, whichever is less, to signal caution.
- Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)
REILs are high-intensity white strobe lights placed at each side of the runway threshold to help pilots identify the beginning of the runway during landing.
– Strobe Lights: Flash synchronously to enhance visibility of the runway end also known as wig-wag lights
- Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZL)
Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZL) are installed in the runway’s touchdown zone to provide additional guidance for pilots to land at the correct spot on the runway.
– White Lights: Arranged in one or two rows on either side of the runway centreline in the touchdown zone.
Visual guidance tools significantly enhance pilots’ ability to perform safe landings by providing clear and distinct visual cues, even in challenging weather conditions.
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