I’m relatively new to the sim community. I have logged a little over 400 hours in the sim. I realize that this is just a simulation and that my questions might seem silly to some because I’m not a real pilot, but I really want to know how it’s done by real pilots. I think holding to those standards makes the experience all the more enjoyable.
I’m still trying to establish a protocol for when and which exterior lights I turn on. I’m currently flying a regional jet which has three landing lights, taxi, “red” beacon, strobe, and nav lights. This is what I’ve established thus far.
Nav Lights:
On when the plane is powered. By “powered”, I mean the electrical power is on.
Red Beacon:
On when the Nav lights are on. I know, trite, but it’s the simplest explanation.
Strobe:
On when crossing runways while taxiing, on the runway, or airborne. I believe the reason for it to be off at other times is that it can dazzle ground crew as well as other pilots.
Taxi:
While in motion on any taxiway.
Landing:
I don’t always turn these on during the day. If I do use them, they go on while on the runway or airbourne below 10k ft. At night I turn them on when descending through 10k ft. I try to turn them off after landing as soon as I exit the runway. I definitely think I’m not managing these lights correctly.
I understand from my research that some airlines add to a core protocol for the use of these lights. I’m really curious about those addendums; what they are and why they were added. I really hope that those of you with real world commercial experience will share that knowledge.
After getting involved in this community, an experience both exhilarating and frustrating as hell, I have become utterly addicted to the educational aspects of it. When I was young I wanted to fly and started work on my PPL. I managed to log 15hrs in a C172 before stopping. Because of a handicapping injury I sustained in an unrelated incident, I was forced to give up that ambition. It took me 40 years to find this hobby and I’m really enjoying it. I’m sharing this private information just to let you know from where my interest comes.
This is pretty close. Changes I would make to comply with generic US airline policy (can’t speak to other countries, and every airline might have slight variations, also can be fleet dependent; for instance, we also have turnoff lights to add to the mix on 737s, and a strobing landing light option):
Beacon is tied to engines. Beacon on before starting engines, and it remains on until they’re shut down. It serves its anti collision purpose, but it’s also a signal to ground crew that an engine is turning or is about to be.
Landing lights on any time on the runway (except possibly holding in position; company variation), and airborne below 18k.
Thank you. You have answered a big question of mine.
The one that I have found the greatest variance of answer in, landing lights. I knew I wasn’t correct on that.
The strobes requirement makes a great deal of sense as well. Here, too, there are a great deal differences in what I’ve read on the subject. I’ll start turning them on and off with the engines. I mean…it makes sense to try to mitigate the effect on other pilots but I always thought the concern for the effect in ground crew didn’t make sense. After all, as @Andrew said, the strobes are all about collision avoidance. This must apply to ground personnel colliding with compressor
They’re all company things to a certain extent, minus regulatory requirement to show basic lighting at night. But for US airlines, 18k is the standard for landing lights. I know it’s done differently elsewhere.
I was talking about the red beacon / anti collision light - the RED flashing light. This is tied to engine operation.
“Strobes” typically refer to the high-intensity white flashing lights. These indeed are pretty damaging to night vision at close range, and so are typically off on the ground. They’re turned on any time you’re occupying a runway and left on in flight, but off for taxi.
Exterior lights? You’re overthinking it, Captain Sim. Nav on when powered, beacon when alive, strobe when showing off, taxi to move, landing to impress. Keep it simple and keep flying.
If I am not mistaken it is tied to both movement or startup, whichever occurs first, as there is also startup at the gate with an inop apu or on stand startup with no push required. What I am unsufe is the regulationa when an aircraft is repositioned on the airfield with a pushback vehicle while it is completely dark. Probably that is one exception to the beacon having to be on eile moving
This also depends on the country and even on the airport! There is no general rule about anti-collision lights during towing operations!: In some places aircraft can be towed without anyone onboard, while in other airports in the same country it is mandatory that someone is in the cockpit and that the red beacon lights are switched on while being towed.
The UNIVERSAL rule is: anti-collision lights (red beacon lights) MUST be switched ON before starting your engine(s). Period.
In some places, anti-collision lights also need to be switched ON while being towed/pushed.
TAXI LIGHTS: obviously you turn them ON before moving on the ground. You will also switch them OFF when you come to a halt during taxi operations. This way other pilots will be aware that you are not moving - it is courtesy and professionalism to do so. You will also switch them OFF when arriving on stand - you don’t want to blind your marshallers.
Before landing we either use the taxi light(s) once we have been cleared to land. Alternatively/additionally you can change your landing light settting from “PULSE” to “ON”(=steady ON), if your plane has this function.
LANDING LIGHTS shall be switched ON below FL100/10,000 feet, or below TRL (transition level), when TRL is higher than 10,000 feet. Company rules may differ from this, however the lowest level/altitude to switch them ON is FL100/10,000 feet.
STROBE LIGHTS shall be switched ON before entering a runway, no matter whether you are going to depart from it or when you just cross it. They will be switched OFF after leaving the landing runway or after vacation a runway, when crossing it.
WING (INSPECTION) LIGHTS I personally switch wing inspection lights ON as long as I have my landing lights ON. They provide good visibility for others who are flying abeam, especially when it is a bit hazy and at night.
I wasn’t aware of the uses of inspection lights; thanks @Andreas . This is the first time I’ve considered their reason for being. Again, excuse my naivety, am I correct that they are used primarily to visually inspect for icing or damage?
Also, I hadn’t considered the situation where an aircraft might be moved for maintenance or repair. If the airport requires lighting or other flight deck centered interaction, who is allowed to be on the flight deck during a move. I would think the airline would have something say in that. Would an engineer or pilot have to chair the operation? I’m assuming only external lights and the release of brakes might be involved.
Thanks again to all of you who have contributed your hard-earned experience to this discussion.
Correct. And some pilolts also use them as described by me. It certainly is not mandatory.
Yes. In the airlines it is normally a specially trained engineer. With our private jets it is usually a crew member. When we park our aircraft and leave for the hotel, we leave the parking brakes off, so ground personell can reposition our plane, if needed.
Thanks Andreas. I missed some of your explanation of the use of inspection lights, I think I’m reaching a saturation point . I’ll go back and read it again.
With regards to leaving the parking brake off, do they just rely on chocks?
I’ll answer from a B737 perspective, and I’ll preface by saying that each airline is different in their SOPs…
Nav lights: anytime power is applied
Anti collision/beacon: aircraft movement, such as doors closed prior to pushback
Taxi light: Taxiing… I also use this as a reminder of being cleared to land. Off at 18000ft
Runway turnoff: cleared onto the runway. Off/back on at 18000ft
Landing lights (retractable and fixed) - cleared for takeoff
Strobe / wing lights on when cleared onto the runway
Retractable landing lights come on/off at 10,000ft through 250kts
Fixed landing lights come on/off at 18,000ft
Logo light (night only) off/on at 18000ft
This’ll depend on the type of tug used, and also possibly on specific local airport policies. In the US, typically port authorities control airports except in the case of the really massive hubs, which are their own authority. These folks can make their own policies about such things.
But in general, a tow involving a tow bar will always have someone in the cockpit to “ride brakes” in case the tow bar breaks or shear pin separates. This could be a mechanic or tamper; it will likely not be a pilot as we’re the most expensive option. However, a towbarless tug that “captures” the nose gear will sometimes be used with no one in the cockpit, as the plane can’t really escape.
Yes. When parked and unattended, chocks are placed at least on the nosewheels and on one pair main landing gear wheels, but putting chocks on both sides of the landing gear is preferable, of course.
