The different lights you see in an airplane and their purposes

It’s natural to ask why aircraft need so many lights. Each light has a specific function, most of which is safety-related. They have a dual role in improving visibility and aiding in navigation. Here, you will learn about the different lights in an airplane and their intended purposes, especially at night.

Whether it’s a little landing light or a massive vertical stabilizer, every part of an airplane is crucial. The lights on an airplane are not given much attention though, but they are essential. In the dark, a plane’s shape would be difficult to figure out without these lights. 

The also has to be recognizable in the sense that you can tell when it is taking off, landing or going in any of many other directions just by looking at it, especially at night

The airplane light’s primary use is to aid pilots in seeing the ground below them and navigating the airspace above them. There are, however, several variations in aircraft external lighting. Let’s explore the significance of various forms of illumination.

Navigational Light

When flying at night, every aircraft must be equipped with navigation lights, sometimes called position lights. The green light is on the right wingtip, while the red light is on the left. When looking at an airplane from behind, you may see a white light on its tail and, sometimes, its wingtips (aft).

An observer may ascertain the location and heading of an airplane by looking at these lights. If an aircraft were coming straight towards you, for instance, the light would flash from green to red (from left to right). A red light is all you would see if an airplane flew by you on the left.

Landing lights

The landing lights of an airplane are the brightest and give the most useful light for pilots. Landing lights on airplanes are often installed on the wing, nose, or under the fuselage. They shine downward to light up the runway and, as was said before, may double as taxi lights.

Anti-Collision lights or beacons (red)

Beacon lights, often called anti-collision lights, signal the presence of an aircraft in operation. Due to their history of rotation, these lights are commonly referred to as revolving beacon lights.

Beacon lights are red flashing lights mounted at the plane’s above and below the fuselage. They are activated when the pilots begin the engine start-up process and deactivated when the engines are turned off.

Anti-collision lights or strobes (white)

A plane’s wingtips are equipped with strobe lights, sometimes called anti-collision lights, which flash white. Although most aircraft use a steady on-and-off pattern, others use quick flashes to draw attention to certain areas. Due to their extreme brightness, these lights are reserved for use during flight and on the runway.

Taxi lights

True to its name, taxi lights on an airplane are used to illuminate the taxiway so that pilots can see where they’re going at night. Both the nose gear strut and the wing are common mounting points for these lights. It is also typical for them to be incorporated with landing lights, with the latter being utilized as taxi lights when dimmed.

Logo lights

The tail of the aircraft is equipped with these lights. For the tail to be more noticeable at night, they are lit up. The “logo light” on the tail unit has another role, which is not immediately obvious. At night, the expansive area stands out more than usual since other aircraft may be noticed more easily when illuminated from the side. 

Inspection lights

The aircraft’s fuselage has inspection lights for the wings, which face rearward. They help both the ground and air crew see ice forming on a plane’s wings.

Now you know that airplane lights have a different role and ultimately contribute to your protection, especially at night. You’ll notice a lot of different things on a flight, and almost all of them are there for your own protection. The reason why flying is very safe nowadays.