What about the flightdeck? Do pilots have panel lights on in the cockpit during T/O landing? I do in PIC so I can see the switches. I'd imagine pilots do too so they can read the charts. Then I turn the panel lights off on cruise so I can SLEEP!

>>switches. I'd imagine pilots do too so they can read the >charts.I don't think so. No flood lights of any kind during approach/takeoff - at least not to see switches which should be back-lit. If they need some light for chrts - must be some dim light. >Then I turn the panel lights off on cruise so I can >SLEEP! Hmmmm .... not sure here.Michael J.

Those switches I'm refering to, BTW, are primary Auto brake and A/T, among other things. Without the panel lights, I really can't see the position of the Autobrake, nor the A/T switch so I can disarm it on APP.

Really ? I have no problem operating A/T or Auto Brakes at night with no flood lights. Auto-Brakes are very nicely back-lit and A/T is just a simple toggle switch with back-lit wording. If I had problems with those two then I would have a problem with practically every other switch - I would the disqualify myself from flying this great jetliner. ;-)Michael J.

"What about the flightdeck? Do pilots have panel lights on in the cockpit during T/O landing?"On the real aircraft, there is a DIM/BRT rotary switch on the overhead panel which allows you to set two brightness levels for annunciator lights. Also, instrument/panel background lighting and floodlighting can be controlled by a variety of rotary dimming switches located in various positions throughout the cockpit.Thusly, the cockpit can be configured so that the pilots have no problems seeing out the windows at night. Map lights can also be adjusted to give out red light, which, as previously mentioned, doesn't have such an impact on night visibility.Hope this helps.Cheers.Ian.

That's fine. Each of us have our own ways. :) But for me at least, it's kindda hard to tell with just a quick glace (which is all the time I have during APP and finals) what position the Autobrake is in and if A/T is dis/engaged. :) (this is with panel lights off)Oh well, maybe it's my monitor, or maybe my eyes are going out!! :-eek

Roger that. That was one of the reason I like PMDG aircrafts for Fly; you can adjust back/light levels. Unfortunately, the lights on PIC are bitmap, so we're "stuck" with one lighting option.

Interesting twist on the thread...AFA cockpit lighting in the real jet? Rest assured that the brainiacs over at Boeing have it figured out (and have for years :D). As Ian mentioned, we can set "BRT" or "DIM" with the flick of a switch on the overhead panel (this controls lights that we have no rheostat for...like say, the lights on the MCP that come on when you push a button...or the baclighting for the fuel guages). All the lighting for the flight instruments, the overhead, the cb panel, and the "backlight" floods are controlled by different rheostats. We also have a "Map" light that is a contraption above our heads that swivels a million different ways, the diameter of the beam can be controlled, and is on it's own rheostat. If all that isn't enough (and sometimes it isn't....like trying to find something in your "brain bag", or the pen you dropped on the floor :D), we have several "Grimes lights". They are really cool little lights that can be white or red, brightness controlled by their own self-contained rheostat, and can be "uncoupled" from their housing and wheeled around on a flexible cord.http://images.andale.com/f2/109/127/632235...5761_pic_28.jpgIn this pic, you can see the "swivel" light over the noggin of some moron :), and the "Grimes light" next to the kit bag at the bottom left. You can also see how the "flood light" under the glare shield does a super job of lighting up the instrument panel.We routinely push back with all the white lights on, do our engine starts and get/give the "wave-off" with them on. We "rig for silent running" before taxi. I personally like my lights rather low (thank god for contact lenses LOL), but some don't. I brief the F/Os that when it's their leg, I'll try and match the lighting on my side of the cockpit to their side (within reason of course)...that way, I'm not "blinding them" if they like it low (like I do), nor am I having them sit and squint trying to see something on my side of the cockpit. Most F/Os run their lights pretty much like I do...I do ask however, that they don't turn them down so low on taxiing to the gate, that I can't see the brake pressure guage (I always try to give it a couple of glances when pulling into the gate).At cruise altitude? No real preference here. Most like to turn all the white lights on to keep the drowsyness factor low....on the 5 hour "all nighters" from Anchorage, it really helps...that plus I throw in a couple of Caribou Coffee "Hoof mints" every so often...that'll keep you awake :D. Some F/Os have told me that sitting for a few hours with the white lights on, gives them a headache...in that instance, I say "no problemo"...we'll just leave them off. No better way to play "amatuer astronomer"....later,BBall---------------------Capt. William "BBall" BallBoeing 757, Northwest AirlinesSenior Editorwww.frugalsworld.com

>and if A/T is dis/engaged. :) I grant you this one ! But the way to do it is to watch not the position of the A/T switch (which I agree is next to impossible) but the indication on the PFD !! This is rule #1 for the glass cockpit - all modes should be checked on the PFD.Michael J.[link:jdtllc.com]http://jdtllc.com/images/RCsupporter.jpg

That is one cool pic. Thanks for sharing!

On the 727's we just brought candles and matches.....

I had been in a dilemna doing my landing view, trying to figure out how to get some night lighting in there. Then I finally realized that all you 20/13 pilots probably keep the panel pretty dark on approach to retain your night vision. Therefore, I guess it's quite allright not having lighting on that view... One question... Here is a picture that Captain "Jake" took for me coming back from Honolulu. Are the lights really this color, or are they exagerated? I think it looks quite pretty, actually...Sincerely,Phil Geddes