Exterior lights question

[aa73]

This came up the other day, prompting a discussion on the ground later on.

If you are shooting a night IMC approach to min's, are you supposed to leave your landing lights off while in IMC to see the approach lights better when you break out (and then have the PNF switch them on when breaking out).... or should you leave them on the whole time for "see and avoid" - even though you are in IMC and other a/c will probably not see you?

Can't find guidance in the AIM, other than the Lights On below 10 program.

Thanks,
73

 

[Jon Rivoli]

When shooting an approach down to mins, especially in fog I leave the nose landing light off to prevent glare from the fog obscuring the runway. I do keep the wing landing lights on as they don't cause a problem. I think this is a question of technique and don't think there is any type of reference out there for this kind of thing.

 

[Waitin' On LUV]

See and Avoid should not be an issue when shooting an approach to mins with weather bad enough to debate lights

 

[aa73]

Yeah, I agree. The reason I asked is because I have an America West buddy on the Airbus who says that they keep them on all the time below 10, day or night, IMC or VMC, low approach or visual. I told him I was surprised that they don't have at least a "Captain's discretion" clause in there regarding using those lights, like we do.

 

[The_Russian]

The below 10K rule is only applicable if your profiles support it. The FAA has "Operation Lights On" below 10K as a safety precaution. I also checked the AIM and found no topic of the sort.

IMO the lights should remain on. I.E., an aircraft is instructed to take position and you are on short final. Without the lights, would he see you? Sounds like safety should be considered first over visibility.

 

[SKYW Pilot]

I don't use the lights at all. Lights suck.

 

[SKYW Pilot]

I keep my logo light on at FL270, though. That way I can get free advertising for my airline.

 

[QCappy]

What do you care about visibility for? The HUD guides you into the flare and tells you when to go to idle!..........Oh, you don't have one?

 

[aa73]

I don't use the lights at all. Lights suck.

I only use them when flying into ORD on 27L....

 

[aa73]

What do you care about visibility for? The HUD guides you into the flare and tells you when to go to idle!..........Oh, you don't have one?

HUD... HUH?

 

[SKYW Pilot]

I love 27L. That's my favorite runway. If they try to give me 27R, then I turn it down, hold if I need to and wait for 27L to become available. THEN I use the lights!

 

[SKYW Pilot]

Looks like QCappy flies a Dash 8. Probably for QX/Horizon. They've intstalled HUD's on all of their Dash 8's which is pretty darn cool. Unfortunately, Horizon failed to have passenger drop down masks installed in their Q400's so they can only fly them below FL250. Kinda wierd if you ask me. Flying such a large and massive powered turboprop below FL250. The fuel savings alone would have paid for the drop down masks in the back.

 

[aa73]

What would Cornholio do?

 

[SKYW Pilot]

I THINK HE WOULD GET TP FOR HIS BUNGHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[aa73]

Thettle down Beavith....

I have seen the top of the mountain... and it rules.