You might be curious about the abundance of airport runway lights and why they aren’t just standard ones. Additionally, you might wonder why they come in different colors. As I’ve pointed out in the past, the majority of what you see in aviation serves a specific function, from the planes to even the minutiae of airport terminals. Naturally, airport runway lights are no exception. Allow me to explain what these runway lights signify, as they are there for specific functions, particularly to assist pilots in taking off and landing properly.
The arrangement and color code of airport runway lights are far from arbitrary. These lighting systems, a major component of airport infrastructure, are well defined and regulated. Standardized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and implemented in each country by the respective aviation regulator, they follow specific patterns and standards.
Runway edge lighting forms the backbone of this system. The most vital section to illuminate, the runway, is always resplendently lit with white lights, both on the edges and the centerline. Depending on the airport type and the runway’s length, these white lights may transition to cautionary yellow or red tones towards the runway’s latter part. To demarcate the ideal touchdown area, some runways also feature touchdown zone indicator lights, typically arranged in sets on either side of the centerline.
Approach and Taxiway Lighting
As pilots navigate their approach towards the airport, the first lights they see belong to the approach lighting system, often extending beyond the airport perimeter. These high-intensity white lights can be either steady or blinking. They’re arranged in a series of equally spaced sets of five lights with longer ‘roll bars’ at specific intervals to assist with visual runway alignment.
An Approach Lighting System (ALS) comprises a series of light bars, strobe lights, or a blend of both, extending outward from the runway end. They significantly enhance an aircraft’s safety, especially under reduced visibility conditions. The ALS’s presence and type influence the minimum visibility required for instrument approaches, thereby playing a pivotal role in a safe landing.
Away from the runway, blue lights serve as the beacon for taxiways, distinctly differentiating them from the active runways. Taxiway edge lights are blue, and the centerline (if illuminated) may use green lights. They’re much lower in intensity than runway lights, as they only need to be seen clearly when on the ground. For airports with multiple taxiways, yellow lights can signal intersections.
PAPI Lights
Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights provide crucial visual cues for pilots during their approach. Installed on both sides of the runway, they comprise sets of four two-color red and white lights. An all-white display signals that the aircraft is too high, while an all-red one indicates it’s too low. The perfect approach should present a harmonious blend of red and white lights.
All these lights are controlled by the air traffic control tower, with the brightness adjustable for day and night operations. At non-towered airports, pilot-controlled lighting may be installed, switchable by the pilot via radio.
Every color, every blink, every placement is thoughtfully designed and strategically positioned to guide pilots, the conductors of our skyward symphony, safely to the ground. From the bright white of the runway edge lighting to the calm blue of the taxiways, from the strategic pattern of the approach lights to the insightful cues of PAPI lights, each element of the lighting system tells a story of safety, precision, and technological advancement.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
