Lights.....what is the purpose of each one??

[RPRIEVER 52]

Greetings all,A question about the external lights. On the overhead panel (I'm refering to the PMDG 737-600/700, although I would guess most planes have the same type of lights), there's a row of lights you need to turn on/off during certain phases of the flight. Some are obvious (landing, logo, wing) but then there are the others....."position, strobe, anti-collision, runway turnoff, and taxi"What exactly is each one used for?? And when are you supposed to turn them on and off?Thanks,Ron

[markadeane 272]

Position - The green and red wingtip lights (green on the right/starboard and red on the right/port)These are generally switched on anytime the aircraft is powered, on the ground this makes the wingtips visible to avoid ground damage from moving vehicles, in the air they provide a visual cue as to the direction another aircraft is heading, If you see a red light, the aircraft is heading to your left, if you see green, the other aircraft is heading to your right (assuming he's not flying inverted!!!)Strobe - this is the white flashing light located on each wingtip and sometimes on the tail of the aircraft. This goes on as you line up on the runway and as you exit the runway after landing. Don't leave them on as you taxi in as they will blind ground personel and confuse other pilots!Anti-collision - these lights are the red flashing beacons on the top and bottom of the fuselage. Put these on just before pushback/engine start and turn them off once your engines are running down after fuel cutoff. on the ground a red beacon means "Stay clear I'm starting or running"Taxi - these are forward-facing lights of a different intensity to the landing lights. Use them to see what's going on as you taxi around an airport. They go on once your pushback is complete and off once you line up for takeoff, THEN back on as you taxi in after landing and off as you approach the parking spot (we don't want to blind the ground crew again!)Runway turnoff lights - These shine a beam out 45 degrees either side of the nose and ensure you can see what's off to the side for when you're turning through 45 degrees or more used normally as you leave the runway (surprisingly!) and sometimes as you turn in to the parking spot.Excuse the detail, hope that answers your question!

[bob34 124]

Great answer. This is a keeper. Nice job...Bob

[Guest]

almost every takeoff and landing, day or night, Ive seen runway turnoff lights on, I assume it gives extra visibility for other traffic to see your airplane

[Guest AJ]

So do the runway turnoff light go on anytime the landing lights are on, or only at night?Andrew

[Guest]

Id say they go on with the landing lights or the strobes, depending on company or pilot policy. sometimes pilots, at night especially, leave the runway turnoff and landing lights on until 18000 feet.during the day, probably landing and turnoff lights off at 10000 feet