AVT 2217 Module 5 - Airport Lighting System

Philippine State College of Aeronautics
Aviation Electronics Technology Department
223@
MODULEs Airport & airways Flexible Modalities
1
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.
• 3: Solve any basic issue involving the identification of different lighting system of and
MLO airport.
• 3: Identify and interpret the standard meaning of airport signs, markings and lighting.
• 7: Discuss airport lighting system and explain their identifications.
TLO
Week Topics/Activities Allotted Hours

Runway Lights System 1.80
5 Taxiway Lights Systems 1.80
Modular Activity No. 5 0.33
Total Hours 3.93
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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, 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.
In these modules, the responsibility for matters refers only to your instructor. You will be
encouraged to appropriately address any errors, inconsistencies or suggestions, as this
manual might be intended for improvements.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The rubrics on the last page are used to evaluate the Modular activities and assignments
given.
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CONTENTS
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................5
5.0 Airport Lighting System ..........................................................................................5
5.1 Airport/Heliport Beacons ..........................................................................................6
5.2 Runway Lights ...............................................................................................................7
5.3 In-Runway Lighting ....................................................................................................9
5.4 Taxiway Lighting Systems ........................................................................................10
Modular Activity No. 5 ..................................................................................................14
Rubrics ........................................................................................................................15
Honesty Clause .............................................................................................................16
References ........................................................................................................................17
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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.
5.0 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.
5.1 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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Figure 1
Airport Lights Identification
 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:
Figure 2
Approach Light System
o MALSR
 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System With Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
o SSALR
 Simplified Short Approach Light System With Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
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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
5.2 Runway Lights
 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.
Figure 3
Runway Lighting System
 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.
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 It helps to identify the runway when it is surrounded by other lights, lacks contrast with
the surrounding terrain or reduced visibility during periods.
 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.
5.3 In-Runway Lighting
 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'
 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.
 Taxiway Centerline Lead-Off Lights

 Installed to provide individuals exiting the runway with visual guidance.
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 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.
 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.
 Land and Hold Short Lights

 Used for certain runways where Land and Hold Short Operations are approved to
indicate the hold short point.
 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.
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5.4 TAXIWAY LIGHTS
Figure 4
Taxiway Lighting System
 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.
 Taxiway Centreline 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
 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.
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 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
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Figure 5
Visual Approach indicator
 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.
Figure 6
Precision Approach Path Indicator System
 Obstruction Lights
 Obstructions are marked and illuminated during daytime and night-time conditions to
alert airmen of their presence.
 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
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 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.
 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.
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.
 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.
- End of Module 5 -
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Modular Activity No. 5 (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.
3. What do they call the lights at the edge of a taxiway? Explain their purpose.
4. 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 posted on Google
Classroom)
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Rubrics: Modular Activity/Assignment
Criteria Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent Sco

(1.0 – 1.9) (2.0 – 2.9) (3.0 – 3.9) (4.0 – 4.9) (5.0) re
(%)
Content Incomplete Content is an Content is not The content is The content is
Development content is not incomplete the comprehensive and comprehensive, comprehensive,
clearly pointed topic is not encouraging, even precise and precise and
out and not clearly though the topic is encouraging, clearly encouraging,
encouraging (1 indicated and is not well supported stated and well clearly stated and
out of 5 not but addressed.) To supported by the well supported by
questions had encouraging (2 have the subject subject. The the subject. The
been addressed of the 5 matter inconsistent scripture and its writing and its
with) questions with its content and purpose are clear. purpose are very
addressed) to clarify thoughts. (4 of the 5 clear
(It addressed 3 out questions were (Exceptionally, all
of 5 questions addressed in an questions were
exceptional way) addressed)
Organization Organization Paper The paper's The paper structure Paper structure and
& Structure and structure are structure and organization and and organization is organization are
not suitable for organization is structure are clearly very clear and easy excellent easy to
the topic. not easy to easy to follow. to follow. Paragraph follow. The
Paragraph is follow. The Paragraph transitions transitions of
confused and transitions to transitions throughout the paragraphs are
thought is lacking paragraphs throughout the paper are present present and very
transition. need paper are present and logical and logical and maintain
improvement and logical and maintain the flow of the thought flow
maintain the flow of thought. throughout the
thought. paper.
Format and Paper disorder Paper complies Most of the The paper follows Paper follows the
References made of lacks of with some guidelines go most guidelines and exact designated
elements guidelines. through paper. includes incorrect guidelines and
incorrect Included are Borderlines, size of spacing between correctly includes
formatting this borderlines, paper, text lines, using complete
include as such: paper size, inappropriate ink different font sizes references.
borderlines, inappropriate used and 3 with 4 references.
paper size, ink used and 2 references are
improper ink references. included.
used, overlap
text, copied
plagiarized or
prepared by
another person
with 1 reference
are included.
Grammar Language Paper made Grammar rules, Grammar rules, Grammar rules,
Punctuation utilizes few mistakes in usage is followed usage is followed usage are fully
and Spelling misleading grammar and and spelling is and spelling is followed, spelling is
conversional spelling, correct. correct. The correct. Language
tone, made of language lacks Language is clear language is very is very clear and
numerous clarification or and precise; clear and precise; precise; sentences
grammatical and includes some sentences display the structure of consistently display
spelling errors. misleading varied structure phrases is strong, varied
The activity was conversional consistently strong. consistently strong structure.
submitted two tone. The activity was and varied. The activity was
weeks late. The activity submitted four days The activity was submitted on time
was submitted late. submitted two days
one week late. late.
Total Points (%)
Points earn
Total Points (%) X 100
Total points
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Honesty Clause
This honesty clause establishes a fundamental social contract within which the College
community agrees to live. This contract relies on the conviction that the personal and
academic integrity of each individual member strengthens and improves the quality of life
for the entire community. It recognizes the importance of honesty, trust, fairness, respect,
and responsibility and wishes these principles to be a defining part of Philippine State
College of Aeronautics
The Institute of Engineering and Technology values and fosters an environment of
academic and personal integrity, supporting the ethical standards of the engineering
profession, where we design and build for the benefit and safety of society and our
environment.
I agree that the submission of any academic work shall constitute a representation on my
part both that such work has been done, and its submission is being made, in compliance
with honesty and integrity. Furthermore, my responsibility includes taking action when I
have witnessed or am aware of another’s act of academic dishonesty.
____________________________
Students Name Over Signature
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REFERENCES
Airport Operation Chapter 13

FAA Handd books
NAVAID Advisory Circular, Retrieved from:

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/150-5340-26c.pdf
Classification of airspace, Retrieved from:

https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Classification_of_Airspace
Runway Lighting system, Retrieved from:

https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Runway_Lighting
Aircraft Signs, Markings and Lighting, Retrieved from:

https://mycfibook.com/lesson-plans/airport-signs-markings-and-lighting/
Airport and Navigation Lighting, Retrieved from:

https://www.flightliteracy.com/airport
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Philippine State College of Aeronautics

Aviation Electronics Technology Department

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

Week Topics/Activities Allotted Hours

To help you successfully completed on a productive fashion on this course, we have

5.0 Airport Lighting

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

5.1 Airport/Heliport Beacons

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

o Flashing white and yellow for a water airport;

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

 Approach Lighting System

5.2 Runway Lights

 Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)

 Runway Edge Light Systems

 HIRL - High Intensity Runway Lights

5.3 In-Runway Lighting

 Runway Centerline Lighting System

 Touchdown Zone Lights

 Taxiway Centerline Lead-Off Lights

 Taxiway Centerline Lead-On Lights

 Land and Hold Short Lights

5.4 TAXIWAY LIGHTS

 Taxiway Edge Lights

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

 Taxiway Centreline Lights

 They are omni-directional steady green light

 Clearance Bar Lights

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

 Runway Guard Lights

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

 Stop Bar Lights

 It consists of a row of red, unidirectional, steady in-pavement lights installed at the

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

 Visual Glide Slope Indicators

 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)

 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)

 Aviation Red Obstruction Lights

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

 Medium Intensity Flashing White Obstruction Lights

 Not normally installed on less than 200 'AGLL structures

 High Intensity White Obstruction Light

 The illuminated markers are visible both day and night.

Modular Activity No. 5 (30 minutes to answer this Activity)

Rubrics: Modular Activity/Assignment

Criteria Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent Sco

Airport Operation Chapter 13

NAVAID Advisory Circular, Retrieved from:

Classification of airspace, Retrieved from:

Runway Lighting system, Retrieved from:

Aircraft Signs, Markings and Lighting, Retrieved from:

Airport and Navigation Lighting, Retrieved from:

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