M1, S2, C2 - Aerodrome Lighting Aids

Question 1

The requirements for lighting at aerodromes in the U.K. appear in…

Answer 1

…CAP 168.

The particular system in use at an aerodrome is notified in the AIP.

Question 2

Operating instructions for individual lighting systems and the intensity setting to be used in different weather conditions, by day and night, shall be detailed in…

Answer 2

…MATS 2.

Question 3

Guidance on typical luminous intensity settings can be found in …

Answer 3

…CAP 168.

These settings may be varied at the controllers discretion or at the request of a pilot, provided that other aircraft will not be adversely affected.

Question 4

At certain aerodromes where RVR reference lights are in use, the runway lighting may be temporarily switched off if this will facilitate an accurate count of the reference lights for RVR purposes.

This shall not be done either:

Answer 4

1) while an aircraft is taking off

2) after an aircraft has reported completing a final procedure turn
or
3) after an aircraft has reached 5 miles from touchdown on a radar approach

Question 5

Aerodrome lighting appropriate to the runway a pilot is to use shall be displayed for an appropriate period of time as specified in MATS 2, before any ETA and after any ATD as follows:

Answer 5

1) by day: high intensity systems, where installed on the runway to be used, whenever the visibility is less than 5km and/or the cloud base is less than 700ft
2) by night: irrespective of the weather conditions

When the reported visibility consists of 2 values, the lower of the 2 values shall be used when determining whether or not to illuminate aerodrome lighting.

Question 6

When the ATD of an aircraft is such that lighting will be displayed after aerodrome closing time, the pilot concerned should be warned that…

Answer 6

…the aerodrome will close at the normal published time, and advised that lighting only will be displayed after his departure.

The availability of other aerodrome services eg RFFS, approach aids etc during this period should also clearly be stated.

Question 7

Obstruction lighting, hazard beacons and aerodrome light beacons shall be displayed…

Answer 7

…at night during the published hours of watch.

Hazard beacons shall also be displayed by day whenever the visibility is less than 3500m

Question 8

Lighting may be displayed at any other time if…

Answer 8

…requested by the parent ACC, required by MATS 2 or considered necessary by the controller