55
votes
Accepted
Why are taxiway and runway centerline lights off center?
The painted line and the lights do not align for a very practical reason: it would be a major pain in the behind to paint over the lights, as each one of them would need to be masked for the painting, ...
- 26.7k
45
votes
Accepted
What was this mystery flash on an airport runway?
It's likely to be a flare / flash bang for bird control. Schiphol uses these (amongst a wide variety of methods).
Bird dispersal equipment
There are various resources a bird controller
can ...
- 81.7k
26
votes
What was this mystery flash on an airport runway?
Likely a flash-bang for runway bird control.
Birds on and near the runway are an ongoing major safety problem (witness the "Miracle on the Hudson", an A320 brought down by a flock of geese shutting ...
- 16.6k
22
votes
Accepted
Why aren't runways lit from overhead, like highways?
Because the planes might hit them and it's not great for your vision at night. Runway edge lights are not intended to illuminate the runway they are intended to outline it. Proper runway lighting very ...
- 100k
22
votes
Why would a pilot ask the tower to turn the VASI off?
It could have been a flight instructor with a student that was becoming too reliant on the VASI's slope information for visual approaches to landing, and he wanted to force the student to do without.
- 8,751
14
votes
Accepted
What does the flashing green-light signal (return for landing) actually mean to NORDO aircraft?
What I was taught that this meant was ...
... because they could not communicate with you, but they wanted you to not land on this pass (interval a mess, crossing traffic, winds maybe wrong, a dozen ...
- 4,191
13
votes
What determines the positioning of PAPI lights from the runway threshold?
US DoT Order JO 6850.2B contains installation criteria for visual guidance lighting systems. The following is taken from that order.
For siting PAPI along the runway, in case an (ILS) electronic ...
- 99.9k
13
votes
Accepted
How to decide on which side of the runway the approach path indicator (VASI, PAPI) are placed?
Path/slope visual indicators are usually located on the left side of the runway (as seen when approaching), but may be on the right side when impractical. Good reasons for moving the aid on the right ...
- 69.6k
11
votes
Accepted
Do sectional charts indicate which runways have lighting installed?
There is no way to tell which runway is lighted from the sectional chart. You have to check the Chart Supplement. From the FAA Chart Users' Guide (27 January 2022) p. 16:
The lighted runway may not ...
- 21.4k
9
votes
What does the flashing green-light signal (return for landing) actually mean to NORDO aircraft?
My understanding of light gun signals was taught to me a little differently. For simplicity, I will concentrate on light gun signals for airborne aircraft only.
Alternating Red and Green is exercise ...
- 16.5k
7
votes
How come certain airports can have unique rotating beacon colors?
The lighting for private heliports is not regulated by the FAA, but by the individual states. The FAA has an Advisory Circular laying out guidelines for heliports, but it is only a recommendation.
...
- 28.3k
7
votes
Why is there no airport beacon light symbol on the sectional for KSAC, although it does have one?
I believe it's because the beacon doesn't operate continuously.
The FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide says:
The symbol [...] indicates the existence of a rotating or flashing
airport beacon ...
- 71.5k
7
votes
What is the speed of the approach lights rabbit?
There are several different systems of Sequenced Flashing Lights, which is the official name for the "rabbit." Generally these flashing lights are spaced 200 feet apart.
FAA Order JO 6850.2B ...
- 13.2k
6
votes
How to decide on which side of the runway the approach path indicator (VASI, PAPI) are placed?
In general, the PAPI is located on the left side of the runway. However, depending upon the runway / taxiway configuration, the PAPI can be located on the right.
According to the Aerodrome Design and ...
- 99.9k
6
votes
What lights are used on top of a building or structure near an airport?
The general guidelines are:
4.3 Lighting Systems. Obstruction lighting may be displayed on structures as follows:
Aviation Red Obstruction Lights. Use flashing lights and/or steady-burning ...
- 18.8k
6
votes
Accepted
What Are These Runway Lights For?
As for what they are you can find that in the answer to the question here. In terms of how they work its an extension of the basic runway lighting system. There is a nice video discussing the various ...
- 100k
6
votes
Accepted
What does this indication of '10∼15 degree' that points toward the both edge of runway means?
That image is intended to describe REIL. REIL are are two synchronized flashing lights. They can be either omnidirectional or unidirectional facing the approach area. Unidirectional REIL are ...
- 18.8k
6
votes
What does the flashing green-light signal (return for landing) actually mean to NORDO aircraft?
The answers above are pretty much correct, but it is nice to cite sources.
Since the question is relating to studying for a PSTAR and is tagged Canada, first the Canadian sources:
Canada
...
- 203
5
votes
How are runway lights constructed?
I presume you are asking about lights that are on the surface of the runway like centerline lights and touch down zone lights. The FAA has an AC that covers their design and installation which you can ...
- 100k
5
votes
Accepted
Where do airports use 3-bar VASI for the visual glideslope?
Runway 8 at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (KABQ) has a 3-bar VASI.
KABQ's current Chart Supplement page1 lists the VASI for Runway 8 as a VASI(V6L): a ...
5
votes
Accepted
Does pilot-controlled lighting work if you are interrupted by another voice transmission?
From a technical standpoint, it's extremely difficult to tell two different signals on the same frequency apart. So, if someone steps on you while you're trying to turn the lights on, then the ground ...
- 12.8k
5
votes
Accepted
There is a difference in the runway lighting systems symbolized in the planview and the lighting system specified in additional runway information?
HIALS stand for High Intensity Approach Lighting System. (as opposed to MIALS for Medium Intensity...)
HIALS is a broad category of different approach lighting configurations, (all high intensity) ...
- 24.1k
4
votes
Accepted
How do I know if a runway has REIL?
You can find this information in the Airport Facility Directory which is published in print by the FAA and is available for free from them online here. REIL will be listed for the specific runway for ...
- 100k
4
votes
Accepted
What is involved in changing runway/taxiway/approach lighting?
To answer your two questions:
Unless the runway is a very busy one, or the failure is such that it can have an adverse effect on the safety of operations, runways are not closed to replace failed ...
- 1,281
4
votes
Accepted
Does runway center lighting increase runway lifetime?
No, runway centreline lights do not increase runway lifetime, and it is not their purpose to do so.
- 1,281
4
votes
Do seaplane bases ever have marked "runways" or approach lighting?
Are the landing areas marked by buoys or lights?
In at least one specific instance, Yes.
The seaplanes that operate out of Lake Union, Seattle, have "Advisory Buoys" that help make the many sailboats,...
- 30.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Why are runway lights always on?
The answer to the question lies in your statements
I deduced that runway lights are kept always on as soon as the day
light or weather conditions require it
Typically when the visibility drops ...
- 100k
4
votes
Are airports still required to have a rotating beacon?
There is not a regulatory requirement for all U.S. airports to have a Rotating Beacon (unless there is federal funding requested or if certain types of operations being conducted there require ...
- 32.3k
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