"Light Shows" upon landing

[shon7]

I have been spending quite some time and Midway these days and have noticed that some pilots (mostly LUV and ATA) like to put on all the AC Lights while landing -- this is during mid afternoon when the sun is up. Is this a matter of preference or does the company determine this? What would be the reason for turning on lights during landing when visibility is unlimited.

 

[SentryIP]

shon7,

This is company procedure for WN. The idea is to make yourself visible and be seen.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

please take the advice and put YOUR landing light on in that 172 also!!


Thank You!

 

[Thedude]

Turning on all of your lights is pretty much industry standard. Heck, we dont turn on the outboard set until we have been cleared to land....Ya know its a memory thing.

 

[pb4ufly]

it's S.O.P. for the USAF as well (except for places like ORBI...)

 

[PurpleTail]

Shon7-

Good question for a young pup like yourself. The big boys light it up for TakeOff and Landing. It is a "see and be seen" philosophy.

Runway incursions are becoming a bigger problem these days. Here is something else to think about. At FDX, and almost all others for that matter, whenever the aircraft is moving the taxi light is on (day or night) and when you come to a complete stop, taxi light goes off. When cleared for takeoff ALL lights ON so aircraft downfield will look and not cross an active rwy. Landing lights (FDX) stay on until reaching 10K and then at 18K its just stobes and nav.

Hope this has help, keep plugging away.

 

[Freight Dog]

At FDX, and almost all others for that matter, whenever the aircraft is moving the taxi light is on (day or night) and when you come to a complete stop, taxi light goes off. When cleared for takeoff ALL lights ON so aircraft downfield will look and not cross an active rwy. Landing lights (FDX) stay on until reaching 10K and then at 18K its just stobes and nav.

Shon, this is a standard practice at all airlines. We all follow pretty much the same pattern when it comes to lights like PurpleTail outlined.

One other thing you'll see is that airliners will light up when crossing an active runway as well. See and be seen...

 

[MercuryPilot]

Shon,

It's kinda' like when you turn your car headlights on during the day when it's raining or foggy. It really doesn't help you see the road any better but it sure helps oncoming traffic see you.

MP

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

It's in an FAA Advisory circular; additionally, you'll also find that the AC recommends the use of lights crossing active runways as well...

 

[jetstream]

Shon,


Like every one above has been saying "see and be seen". Its kind of like driving defensively. Whenever you get within 10 miles of an airport turn on that landing light and strobes if you have them. If your flight instructor did not teach you this he/she should have.