Philippine State College of Aeronautics

Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

MODULE 1 AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM Flexible Modalities

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• 1: Express ideas effectively a comprehensive understanding of the key elements related to

established airport, active runway and taxiway signs, distinctive markings, and lighting as needed on
or in the direct vicinity of a principal airport.
CLO • 3: Identify and interpret signs, markings and lighting systems at airports.

• 1: Demonstrate familiarization and clarify the significance of different types of airport lights
• 2: Demonstrate knowledge of the basic theory of various types of airport lights.
MLO • 3: Solve any basic issue involving the identification of different lighting system of and airport.

• 3: Identify and interpret the standard meaning of airport signs, markings and lighting.
• 7: Discuss airport lighting system and explain their identifications.
TLO

Weeks Topics/Activities Allotted Hours

Runway Lighting System 1.7 Hrs
5 Activity 30 Mins
Taxiway Lighting System 1.7 Hrs
Activity 30 Mins

MODULE 1 AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM Flexible Modalities

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

CONTENTS

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................5
1.0 Airport Lighting..............................................................................................................................5
1.1 Airport/Heliport Beacon ................................................................................................................5
1.2 Approach Lighting System............................................................................................................6
1.3 Runway Lights..............................................................................................................................7
1.3.1Threshold Lights.......................................................................................................................7
1.3.2 Runway End Identifier Lights...................................................................................................8
1.3.3 Runway Edge Light System....................................................................................................8
1.4 In Runway Lighting......................................................................................................................8
1.4.1 Runway Centerline Lighting System........................................................................................8
1.4.2 Touchdown Zone Lights..........................................................................................................9
1.4.3 Taxiway Centerline Lead-off Lights.........................................................................................9
1.4.4 Taxiway Centerline Lead-on Lights.........................................................................................9
1.4.5 Land and Hold Short Lights.....................................................................................................9
Activity..............................................................................................................................................10

2.0 Taxiway Lights...........................................................................................................................11

2.1 Taxiway Edge Lights..................................................................................................................11
2.2 Taxiway Centerline Lights..........................................................................................................11
2.3 Clearance Bar Lights..................................................................................................................12
2.4 Runway Guard Lights.................................................................................................................12
2.5 Stop Bar Lights...........................................................................................................................12
2.6 Visual Glide Slope Indicator........................................................................................................13
2.6.1 Visual Approach Slope Indicator..........................................................................................13
2.6.2 Precision Approach Path Indicator.......................................................................................13
2.7 Obstruction Lights........................................................................................................................14
2.7.1 Aviation Red Obstruction Lights...........................................................................................14
2.7.2 Medium Intensity Flashing White Obstruction Lights...........................................................14
2.7.3 High Intensity White Obstruction Light.................................................................................14
2.74. Dual Lighting
Activity...............................................................................................................................................15
References....................................................................................................................................15

MODULE 1 AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM Flexible Modalities

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

LEARNING MATERIALS

To help you successfully completed on a productive fashion on this course, we have included the
following Learning Materials.

MODULES

This module includes a sequence of discussions; workshop activity at the end of the topics;
separate online assignments and quizzes through Google Classroom (TBA), covering the key points
of its topic. The key assignment questions and quizzes are put to assess your understanding of the
concepts discussed. Following confirmation of the activities carried out, the answers for your
clarification are provided. Other course requirement for your interpretations and discussion will be
present on the first day of classes.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Create a Rubric through Google Classroom that shall serve as a basis for evaluation of the Activity,
Assignment and Quizzes given.

MODULE 1 AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM Flexible Modalities

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

INTRODUCTION

As the airport operates 24 hours a day and even in low visibility conditions, it is important that the
airport is equipped with adequate airport lights. In low visibility, night time, and dusk time, this will
provide visual guidance for pilots. Airport lights are constructed on the basis of Annex 14 of ICAO,
which sets out the colors, fragility, intensity of light, control and emergency lights. When operating in
poor weather or night conditions, airport lights allow the pilot to identify the runways. It also provides
pilots with a key source of guidance on landing and deceleration to remain at the center of the
runway. In addition, it helps pilots identify the start of the runway and choose to land or execute a
missed approach. It also helps pilots with visually-based vertical alignment on landing approach.

1.0 AIRPORT LIGHTING

 Airport lighting helps the pilot to locate and define the environment of the runway and airport.

 In order to save money when not in use, airport lighting is not continuous at airports with
minimal traffic.

 Runway edge lights, in-pavement lights, and flashing sequence lights may also have intensity
controls that may vary to meet the request of the pilots.

 Depending on traffic / use, airport lighting may be either continuous or variable.

 Airport lighting is standardized to ensure that runways and taxiways use the same light colors
at airports.

1.1 AIRPORT/HELIPORT BEACONS

 During low-light conditions, airport and heliport beacons help identify airports / heliports.

 The beacon can be an Omni-directional capacitor-discharge device, or it can rotate at a

constant speed at regular intervals, producing the visual effect of flashes.

o Flashing white and yellow for a water airport;

o Flashing white, yellow, and green for a heliport;

o Two quick white flashes alternating with a green flash identifying a military airport.

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

1.2 APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEM

 The Approach Lighting System (ALS) provides the fundamental means of transitioning from
instrument flight to visual landing flight.

 During hours of darkness and/or when the visibility is less than that required for visual flight
rules, ALS is illuminated.

 Although their purpose never changes, a pilot may encounter distinct types of systems:

o MALSR
 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System With Runway Alignment Indicator Lights

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

o SSALR
 Simplified Short Approach Light System With Runway Alignment Indicator Lights

o MALSF
 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System With Sequenced Flashers

o SSALF
 Simplified Short Approach Light System With Sequenced Flashers

o ALSF-1
 Approach Lighting System with Sequence Flashing Lights (ALSF-1)

o REIL:
 Runway End Identifier Lights

o ODALS:
 Omni-directional Approach Lighting System

1.3 RUNWAY LIGHTS

1.3.1 Threshold Lights

 Threshold lights mark the beginning of the landing surface.

 They consist of four or more green lights, two on each side of the runway.

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

1.3.2 Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)

 To provide rapid and positive identification of the approach end of a runway, Runway End
Identifier Lights are installed.

 They consist of synchronized flashing lights which can be either omni-directional (facing all
areas) or unidirectional (facing the approach area) on each side of the threshold.

 It helps to identify the runway when it is surrounded by other lights, lacks contrast with the
surrounding terrain or reduced visibility during periods.

1.3.3 Runway Edge Light Systems

 During darkness or restricted visibility, runway edge lights are used to outline runway edges.

o Intensity Classification

 HIRL - High Intensity Runway Lights

 MIRL - Medium Intensity Runway Lights
 LIRL - Low Intensity Runway Lights

 Except on instrument runways, the runway edge lights are white, yellow replaces white on
the last 2,000 'or half, whichever is lower, to form a landing caution zone.

 To indicate the end of the runway to a departing aircraft, the lights marking the ends of the
runway emit red light towards the runway and emit green outward from the end of the runway
to indicate the threshold for the landing aircraft.

1.4 IN-RUNWAY LIGHTING

1.4.1 Runway Centerline Lighting System

 On certain precision approach runways, Runway Centerline Lighting Systems (RCLS ') are
installed to facilitate landing under adverse visibility conditions.

 RCLS are spaced along the centerline markings at 50 'intervals, offset to the side of the
centerline closest to the terminals.

 The runway centerline lights are white when viewed from the landing threshold until the last
3,000 ', when red and white alternate for 2,000' and eventually red at 1,000'

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

1.4.2 Touchdown Zone Lights

 On certain precision approach runways, Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZL) is installed to

indicate the touchdown zone during adverse visibility.

 TDZLs consist of two rows of transverse light bars symmetrically positioned around the
centerline of the runway.

 Steady burning white lights extend to 3,000 'or half the length of the runway, whichever is
less, starting 100' beyond the landing threshold.

1.4.3 Taxiway Centerline Lead-Off Lights

 Installed to provide individuals exiting the runway with visual guidance.

 They are color-coded to warn pilots and vehicle drivers that the critical area, whichever is
more restrictive, is within the runway environment or instrument landing system (ILS).

 Alternate green and yellow lights are installed, starting with green, beyond the runway
holding position or ILS critical area holding position, from the centerline of the runway to one
centerline light position.

1.4.4 Taxiway Centerline Lead-On Lights

 Installed to provide individuals entering the runway with visual guidance.

 They are color-coded to warn pilots and vehicle drivers that the critical area, whichever is
more conservative, is within the runway environment or instrument landing system (ILS).

 The fixtures used for lead-on lights are bidirectional, i.e., for the lead-on function, one side
emits light while the other side emits light for the lead-off function.

 Any fixture that emits yellow light for the lead-off function must also, for the lead-on function,
emit yellow light.

1.4.5 Land and Hold Short Lights

 Used for certain runways where Land and Hold Short Operations are approved to indicate
the hold short point.

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

 It consists of a row of pulsating white lights at the short hold point installed across the
runway.
 They will be on whenever LAHSO is in effect, but off when they are not in effect.

Activity No. 1 (30 minutes to answer this Activity)

1. What do they call the lights at the end of a runway? Explain their purpose.
2. Identify the difference and clarify their purposes, where the various runway lights are usually
installed.

After your class schedule your appropriate response to these activity woks through
the Google Classroom platform. (Deadline of Submission to be discuss)

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

2.0 TAXIWAY LIGHTS

2.1 TAXIWAY EDGE LIGHTS

 During periods of darkness or limited visibility, outline the edges of the taxiways.

 They're steady, omni-directional blue lights.

 At some airports, they may be adjusted at the request of the pilots or if the controller deems it
necessary.

2.2 TAXIWAY CENTERLINE LIGHTS

 Facilitate ground traffic through the illumination of the taxiway centerline under low visibility
conditions.

 They are located in a straight line on straight portions along the taxiway centerline, on the
centerline of curved portions, and along designated taxi routes in portions of runways, ramps,
and apron regions.

 They are omni-directional steady green light

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

2.3 CLEARANCE BAR LIGHTS

 Installed at holding positions to increase visibility of the holding position.

 They may also be installed during periods of darkness to indicate the location of an
intersecting taxiway.

 Consists of three in-pavement steady burning yellow lights.

2.4 RUNWAY GUARD LIGHTS

 Runway guard lights are installed at taxiway/runway intersections.

 Improves the visibility of taxiway/runway intersections when visibility is reduced.

 The runway holding marking consists of either a pair of elevated flashing yellow lights on
either side of the taxiway or a row of in-pavement yellow lights across the entire taxiway.

 At taxiway/runway intersections, some airports may have a row of three or five in-pavement
yellow lights installed that should not be confused with clearance bar lights.

2.5 STOP BAR LIGHTS

 Used during periods of low visibility (below 1,200 ft Runway Visual Range) to confirm ATC
clearance to enter or cross an active runway.

 It consists of a row of red, unidirectional, steady in-pavement lights installed at the runway
holding position across the taxiway and raised steady burning red lights on each side.

 Operate in conjunction with the lead-on lights of the taxiway centerline that extended toward
the runway from the stop bar.

 The stop bar is turned off following the ATC clearance to proceed, and the lead-on lights are
turned on.

 Automatic reset of the lights by a sensor or backup timer

 Even if cleared, pilots should never cross a red illuminated stop bar.

 If the lead-on lights are inadvertently extinguished after crossing a stop bar, pilots should
hold their position and contact the ATC.

MODULE 1 AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM Flexible Modalities

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

2.6 VISUAL GLIDE SLOPE INDICATORS

 Provide glide path information to the pilot that can be used for approaches during the day or
night.

 A pilot should have adequate obstacle clearance by maintaining the proper glide path as
provided by the system and should touch down within a specified portion of the runway.

2.6.1 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)

 Provide information for visual descent guidance during the approach to a runway.

 These lights are visible during the day for 3-5 miles, and at night for up to 20 miles or more.

2.6.2 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)

 Provide safe clearance of obstruction within plus or minus 10 degrees of the extended
centerline of the runway and from the runway threshold to 4 M.

MODULE 1 AIRPORT LIGHTING SYSTEM Flexible Modalities

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

2.7 OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS

 Obstructions are marked and illuminated during daytime and night-time conditions to alert
airmen of their presence.

2.7.1 Aviation Red Obstruction Lights

 During daylight hours, orange and white aviation paint is used to mark

 The flashing red light bacon indicates the marking of an en-route obstruction during night
time operation (20 to 40 flashes per minute)

 A constant red light shows an obstruction in the terminal area

2.7.2 Medium Intensity Flashing White Obstruction Lights

 During the daytime and twilight, medium intensity flashing white obstruction lights may be
used with automatically selected reduced intensity for night-time operation.

 Other methods of marking and lighting the structure may be omitted when this system is
used on structures 500 feet (153 m) AGL or less in height.

 On structures exceeding 500 'AGL, aviation orange and white paint is always required for day
time marking.

 Not normally installed on less than 200 'AGLL structures

 The unique sequential / simultaneous flashing light system alerts pilots to conspicuous wires
associated with it.

2.7.3 High Intensity White Obstruction Light

 During the daytime, high intensity white lights flash with decreased intensity for twilight and
night-time operation.

 The marking of structures with red obstruction lights and aviation orange and white paint can
be omitted when this type of system is used.

 To identify tall structures, such as chimneys and towers, as obstructions to air navigation,
high intensity flashing white lights are also used.

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Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Associate in Aviation Electronics Technology

o At 40 flashes per minute, the lights provide 360 ° coverage of the structure and consist of
one to seven levels of light depending on the structure's height.

o The vertical banks flash simultaneously when more than one level is used.

 The lights are beamed toward the structure of the companion and identify the wire span area.

2.7.4 Dual Lighting

 For night time operation, a combination of flashing aviation red beacons and steady burning
aviation red lights and flashing high-intensity white lights for daytime operation.

 The illuminated markers are visible both day and night.

Activity No. 2 (30 minutes to answer this Activity)

1. What do they call the lights at the edge of a taxiway? Explain their purpose.
2. Identify the difference and clarify their purposes, where the various taxiway lights are usually
installed.

After your class schedule your appropriate response to these activity woks through
the Google Classroom platform. (Deadline of Submission to be discuss)

- End of Module -

REFERENCES

https://aerosavvy.com/airport-lights/

https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/airport-runway-top-view-vector-1722078

https://mycfibook.com/lesson-plans/airport-signs-markings-and-lighting/

https://www.flightliteracy.com/airport

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