Aircraft Lighting

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Aircraft lighting is more than a regulatory requirement, as it is a component critical to aircraft operations and collision avoidance. Ensuring aircraft lighting is operational starts with a detailed preflight inspection, whether the flight will be conducted during day or night. The types of exterior lights that are common on most aircraft are: position lights, anti-collision lights, and landing/taxiway lights. 

We can think of lights as serving two primary purposes: collision avoidance and guidance for taxi and takeoff, and landing operations. Position lights help indicate the trajectory of traffic in relation to an aircraft. They are located on the wings, with a green light on the right wingtip and a red light on the left wingtip. Knowing the location of these lights helps determine whether an aircraft is flying away from or toward you. If, for example, you can see both position lights of an aircraft, with the green light on your left and the red on your right, that airplane is flying toward you.

Another set of lights are anti-collision lights. These may be located on the top and bottom of the aircraft. They will flash and are typically red and/or white. Wingtips may also be equipped with strobes, also considered anti-collision lights. Finally, on most general aviation aircraft, a red rotating beacon is located at the top of the tail. The beacon signals the aircraft engine is operational. It is a safety indication not to approach an aircraft with the beacon still illuminated.

Lights used for guidance for taxi, takeoff, and landing serve a different purpose. These help pilots navigate during operations, as well as your takeoff and landing phases. Landing an aircraft without landing lights, especially at night, can be a dangerous maneuver, especially if the eventuality has never been trained before. 

Federal regulations require pilots to utilize aircraft lights depending on the type of operation: day or night. All night operations require anticollision and position lights per FAR 91.205. Even if your type of operation does not mandate the usage of aircraft lights, the PIC has the authority to exceed the minimum requirements. At its simplest, lights can make a difference in avoiding a collision with another aircraft.




SOURCEAero Crew News, August 2024
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Sergio Sovero was born and raised in Lima, Peru, and currently serves as Captain for Delta Air Lines. At the age of 17, he moved to the United States to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sergio obtained a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science in 2017, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He served as a flight instructor at ERAU, while assuming several leadership roles within the Flight Department. These included: Flight Supervisor, Quality Assurance Instructor, and Assistant Training Manager. He also developed additional training material, in support of furthering the curriculum and improving the quality of instruction. Such involvement led to his recognition as “Flight Instructor of the Month” and “Excellence in Quality of Instruction” awards. Sovero holds a Gold Seal CFI, AGI and IGI ratings. Upon meeting the minimum requirements, he joined Republic Airways, where he participated as a Pilot Recruiter and Interviewer. Joining Delta Air Lines at 23 years old, he holds A-320, B-737, B-757/767, DC-9 & ERJ-170 type ratings. Sergio is an active member of the ERAU Prescott Aerospace Advisory Board (AAB). As such, he provides unique perspectives to the College of Aviation regarding curriculum development. In response to his special interest in sustainable practices, Sergio is pursuing a Master of Science in Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability (MSAS), with a Human Factors Specialization, and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of professional pilots. He resides in Atlanta, loves traveling, and frequently visits his hometown of Lima.

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