Aircraft Lighting

Question 1

Give some examples of exterior lights on an aircraft

Answer 1

1. position lights
2. anti-collision lights
3. landing lights
4. taxi lights
5. wing inspection lights

Question 2

Describe Position Lights

Answer 2

Note: aircraft operating at night must be
equipped with position lights
1. must meet min requirements specified by
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations
2. Consists of one red, one green, and one white
light
a. the green light unit is always mounted at
the extreme tip of the right wing
b. the red unit is mounted in a similar
position on the left wing
c. the white unit is usually located on the
vertical
stabilizer

Question 3

Describe Anticollision lights

Answer 3

1. may consist of one or more lights
2. they are rotating beam lights usually installed
   on top of the fuselage or tail
3. white strobe lights are a second type of anti-
   collision lights
   a. usually mounted at the wing tips

Question 4

Describe Landing and Taxi Lights

Answer 4

Landing Lights
1. installed to illuminate runways during night
landings
2. lights are directed by a parabolic reflector at
an angle providing a max range of illumination
3. Smaller Aircraft: lights are located midway in
the leading edge of each wing
Larger Aircraft: lights are usually located in
the leading edge of the wing close to the
fuselage

Taxi Lights
1. designed to provide illumination on the
ground while taxiing to towing the aircraft
to/from the runway, taxi strip, or hangar area

Question 5

Describe Wing Inspection Lights

Answer 5

1. illuminates the leading edge of the wings to
   permit observation of icing and general
   condition of this area
2. these lights permit visual detection of ice
   formation on wing leading edges while flying
   at night
3. usually operated by a switch in the cockpit