Airfield Lighting Systems

The complete set of aeronautical ground lights at an aerodrome — runway, approach, taxiway and obstacle lights and wind indicators — together with the power supply and the control system that operates them.

They show the pilot the runway's edges, start and end at night and in poor visibility, so the aircraft can line up, land and take off safely. Colours tell the pilot where they are: white edges, green threshold, red end.

At least runway edge, threshold and end lights. Depending on the runway, approach lights, PAPI, touchdown zone and centreline lights are added, with a lit wind direction indicator nearby.

Systems that switch lighting circuits on and off and set their intensity — from a desk in the tower, a local panel or by pilot-activated radio control at unmanned airfields. They usually also monitor the circuits and report failures.

By the runway designation: the magnetic heading divided by ten and rounded, painted at each threshold (for example 09 and 27). Parallel runways add L, C or R. At night the lighting shows the same runway through its threshold, edge and end lights.

LED lights use less power, last much longer than halogen lamps and keep a stable colour and intensity. That means lower energy and maintenance costs and fewer runway closures for lamp changes.