Runway Lighting Aids

Runway lights provide the means for the pilot to transition from the IFR to VFR flight just before landing. The image show the precision lights, there are also configurations for non-precision approach runways. These lights are sometimes used for VFR pilots in reduced visibility conditions with a low sun angle when the runway aligns in the direction of the sun.

To help the pilot fly a safe approach on finals to the runway a number of lights are used to indicate the correct glide-path and alignment on the center line, these lights are located left or right to the runway and are visible some distance away from the runway. After landing, the pilot is guided to his parking position by taxiway edge lights.

Approach & Runway Lights

ALS or approach light systems are designed to transition from IFR to VFR and help the pilot keeping the aircraft aligned with the runway for landing. They start out at the threshold to a distance from 2400 to 3000 feet for precision and to 1500 feet for non-precision runways. Some systems have a ball of light (strobe) running towards the runway.

Glideslope indicators

But seeing the runway on final approach is not the complete picture. The aircraft needs to stay clear of any obstacles in the approach area. For this visual glideslope indicators were developed.

Visible from 3 to 5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles at night these lights provide the pilot a safe obstruction clearance within 10 degrees from the extended runway centerline to 4 NM from the threshold. Descend may not start until the aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline.

VASI setup

The installation of a VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator) consists from 2 up to 16 light units arranged in bars (near, middle and far). Most will have two bars, near and far. The glide slope indicated by a two bar VASI is 3°, the three bar VASI have two glideslopes: 3° and for high cockpit aircraft a glideslope at 3.25°. These glideslope angles may vary due to obstacle clearance requirements.

	PAPI The PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) is a similar system as a VASI but it has less lights and is installed in a single row of either two or four light and installed on the left side of the runway. Larger GA airports with sealed runways usually have a PAPI as it is less costly than a full VASI installation.
Tricolor system This is a single light system with lenses which projects three lights: RED for under glide path, GREEN (on glide path) and AMBER (above glide path).
	Pulsating system Like the tricolor system but then pulsating red for below glide path and pulsating white for above glide path. Steady red is slightly below and steady white is on glide path.

Element system

This is a system with three panels in a highly visible fluorescent color where the middle element is located a bit to the back and lower than the outer two. The pilot must keep the elements in one line for the correct glide path.

Runway & Taxi Lights

The runway itself is also marked with lights, predominantly end identifier, edge and centerline lights.

REIL

REIL (Runway End Identifier Lights) are a pair of synchronized flashing lights positively indicating the approach end of the runway. They can be omni or uni-directional and are used in circumstances of reduced visibility.

Runway edge lights

Used to outline the edges of the runway. Edge lights are white except for instrument runways where the last 2000 feet is yellow. The runway thresholds are either green or red.
These lights have three intensities: HIRL, MIRL and LIRL. Meaning: high, medium and low intensity runway lights.

In-Runway lights

The in-runway lights consists of the Centerline Lighting, Touchdown Zone, Taxiway Lead-off and the Land and Hold Short light systems. The runway centerline and edge light change color when approaching the end of the runway as an indication for pilots.

Taxi lights

These have a green centerline and blue edge lighting. Keep a taxiway map closeby as all those blue lights can be confusing in the dark.

Written by EAI.