200 and 1/2

[Say Again Over]

Obviously a pilot preference issue, prefer them off in heavy snow, remember my first night flight, my CFI tuned off the landing light on downwind to simulate electrical failure, good training, also worked in the USN, fighters tend to not use landing lights.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

I would want to land on a clear night without the landing lights. So in poor visibility it's light on for sure.

In my airline work, never has it been a procedure to turn the lights off for any king of safety reason.

Noticed this post of mine when it was too late to edit. What I meant to say was:

I would NOT want to land on a clear night without the landing lights ON. So in poor visibility it's lights on for sure.

In my airline work never has it been a procedure to turn the landing lights off for any kind of safety reason.

 

[j41driver]

In other words does the landing light, that's in the nose of the plane, conflict with being able to see the approach lights?

In "4200+" hours you haven't figured this out for yourself?

 

[UGAflyer]

i leave them off for low vis...the car headlights in fog is the best example

 

[instructordude]

Leave them off if you have centerline runway lighting. Otherwise I'd turn them on. If you are really going down to 1800/1600 RVR it shouldn't be a player unless it is snowing. Then turn them off. Good topic for recurent or maybe with someone who is seasoned.

 

[PA31Ho]

I think it would depend on the given situation. If you are flying single pilot and going down to 2400 or 1800 rvr .. whatever ... and know the airplane cold and it's stable outside, and you can reach and flip the switch without even moving your eyes, no biggie... now if it's rough, you're up/down, lef/right, etc... probably not a good idea...

but i think it all depends on your comfort level. if there's a guy in the right seat that can do it when landing is assured, then why not keep it off if it bothers you until landing?

 

[Say Again Over]

More of an experience level thing, I personally don't feel more comfortable with the landing lights on in that situation, the runway will be very bright.

 

[acaTerry]

When it is so tight that some people are making it and others are missing, I will leave the landing lights off until I see the runway. When the vis is that low, see and avoid is not a problem.

Exactly. Additionally, strange approaches, such as the LDA with GS (which is, by definition, a precision approach) at ROA is really, really tough when its to minimums. The offset FAC to the runway, terrain layout and road slant makes it a demanding approach. The sooner I can see the approach lights, the better. In this case (ROA) turning off the landing lights until the approach lights are in sight is indescribably valuable in avoiding spatial disoeientation at those last few hundred feet. Those who flew that approach to mins know what I mean.