Lighting Flashcards
ALS
Approach Light Systems
LIH ALS
High Intensity Approach Light System
Calvert high-intensity uni-directional white type
Precision approaches at international aerodromes in combination with low-intensity red systems
LIL ALS/2 bar
Low Intensity Approach Light System/2 bar
Precision approach
LIL ALS/1 bar
Low Intensity Approach Light System/1 bar
Non precision runways
CGL
Circling Guidance Lighting
For visual circling approaches.
Fixed or flashing amber
RLLS
Runway Lead-in Lighting
When instrument approach not aligned with the runway (i.e. NZWR)
VASIS
Visual Approach Slope Indicator Systems
T-VASIS
Four lights - on profile.
Upside down T (lights extend above the bar) - high.
T (lights extend below bar) - low, red when urgent.
AT-VASIS - one side of runway only.
RAE red-white VASIS
Four lights, dice arrangement.
All white - high.
Upwind red/downwind white - on profile.
All red - low.
PAPI
Precision Approach Path Indicator.
2 outer white/2 inner red - on 3 degree slope.
All white - high.
All red - low.
TCH
Threshold Crossing Heights.
Generally 50ft +/- 5ft.
Set for largest aircraft when mixed (i.e. AKL at 73ft).
For smaller means touchdown further and fly up indication when close.
Coverage (T-VASIS, VASIS, PAPI)
6 degrees vertical.
5 degrees either side of centreline (day).
7.5 degrees either side of centreline (night).
4nm range.
Indication Errors
Atmospheric conditions can cause refraction of light.
Extra lights, colour changes, distortion of slope angle.
Haze, smoke, dust, rain, mist or light fog.
REDL
Runway Edge Lighting.
White - Spacing not more than 60m for instrument/100m for non instrument.
RTHL
Runway Landing Threshold Lighting.
Unidirectional green - full width or two bars either side.
RENL
Runway End Lighting.
Red - length of runway or with gap.
RCLL
Runway Centreline Lighting.
Precision approach runway.
White till 900m to go.
Alternating white/red till 300m to go.
Red till end.
RTZL
Runway Touchdown Zone Lighting.
Wing bar of white lights either side of runway lights. Only visible on approach.
REIL
Runway End Indicator/Identifier Lights.
Very high intensity unidirectional light projector system. Flashing.
On either side of the runway, downwind of the landing threshold.
PAL
Pilot Activated Lighting.
Number of short rapid transmissions to activate.
Repeat then hold last to change brilliance.
Turns off after period of no transmissions.
Taxiway Lighting
Blue side or green centreline
WDI
Wind Direction Indicator lighting (for windsock)
ABN
Aerodrome Beacon.
Flash white or alternate green/white.
Obstruction Lighting
Low intensity steady red (regular).
Medium intensity flashing red (early or special warning).
Flashing white (strobe) for day/night marking of tall structures.
