The Importance of Signal Lighting in Aviation
Communication is vital for safety in aviation, as pilots and air traffic controllers communicate to one another to prevent accidents and collisions. Signaling lights are effective means for establishing communications, especially if an aircraft lacks a radio system, or the radio is malfunctioning.
Aviation signal lights fulfill a similar role as traffic and vehicle lights, in communicating visually what cannot be said aurally. Like automobiles, aviation lights are designed to maintain the safety of pilots, passengers, personnel on the ground, and even the cargo carried by the aircraft. Aviation signaling lights provide guides for pilots on what they need to do while landing an aircraft, where to place the aircraft on the runway, and where to take off from. For obvious visibility reasons, lights are used at night, and are used to guide ground service vehicles working at the airport as well as pilots.
Signal lights have different meanings depending on if the aircraft is airborne or currently on the ground.
Airborne signals:
- Green (blinking or flashing): An aircraft is cleared to return to the airport.
- Green (Steady): An aircraft is cleared to land in the airport.
- Red (blinking or flashing): an aircraft should not approach or land in the airport because of a dangerous situation.
- Red (Steady): an aircraft is required to provide a way for other aircraft first and is requested to circle around while letting others get their way.
- Alternating between green and red: An aircraft must be aware and cautious for possible danger.
Signals on ground:
- Alternating between green and red: An aircraft must be aware and cautious for possible danger.
- White (blinking or flashing): An aircraft must return to the first point.
- Green (blinking or flashing): An aircraft is sanctioned for taxiing.
- Green (steady): An aircraft is cleared to takeoff at any time.
- Red (blinking or flashing) An aircraft must leave the airstrip.
- Red (steady): An aircraft must stop.
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