Can you answer this question?

[Fury220]

Some corporate pilot asked me this the other day:

"Why are taxiway lights blue?" HUH?

Is there a specific reason?


All I can think of is that since all the other colors were taken, and since blue is a "low-key" color that helps the "important" airport lighting stand out.

Any ideas?

 

[EagleRJ]

You've got it.

Blue is subdued enough that it's only plainly visible from close range. That lets the important lights (runway lights) stand out to an aircraft that is airborne.

 

[Fury220]

Sweet. That's what I thought.


Is there any weird folklore attached to the blue light thing? Something lame-o like "why pilots wear scarves..." ?

haha

 

[minitour]

Is there any weird folklore attached to the blue light thing? Something lame-o like "why pilots wear scarves..." ?

haha

Why do they?

-mini

 

[dseagrav]

For wiping the windshield clear of oil; Rotary engines are pretty messy.

 

[Kream926]

Why do they?

-mini

i think because they got cold im them there open cockpits back in the day........


just an educated guess

 

[88_MALIBU]

"The taxiway lights located on the sides of the taxiway are illuminated using a color that will result in the least amount of pilot confusion and the most distinct brightness during low light conditions."

Thats what I came up with...













Alright I made it up.

 

[Flying Illini]

And all this time I just thought it was because the goggles alone looked goofy.

 

[TrafficInSight]

The leather helmet was to keep the hair from whipping the pilot's face, the goggles were to keep the oil out of his eyes and the scarf was to wipe the goggles when they became fouled.

 

[9GClub]

It's because scarves are dead sexy, duh. I'll bet our Cessna-flying friend makes one part of his college ring/flight suit/combat helmet/oxygen mask/kneeboard/Beretta M9/flashlight/ballpoint pen/Martin Baker ensemble.