Could anyone please describe when aircraft lights are turned on and off during all phases of a flight? I'm flying jets - primarily 737NG and 767-300.I know some events - like landing lights turned on at take-off, off at 10,000ft and on again when descending below 10,000ft but I'm not sure about wing lights (anti-collision/beacon?), strobes, navigation and taxi.I'm currently only switching on nav lights after dark. I use beacon lights (flashing red on fuselage top and bottom) from pushback to park; strobes (flashing on wings and tail) once I've started to taxi until I park and taxi lights after switching off landing lights after a landing.It would be better to use them correctly so any advice would be appreciated.Thanks,

These are taken from an actual set of Checklists so should be pretty accurate ;-)Cockpit preparationNav lights...ONLogo Lights...AS RequiredWing Lights...As RequiredPushbackBeacons...ONTaxi outTaxi lights...As Required When entering an active runway environment (When the airplane crosses the hold short line)Wing lights...ONStrobe lights...ONLanding Lights...ONClimbLanding Lights (>10,000)...OFFWing Lights (>10,000)...OFFApproachLanding Lights (<10,000)...ONWing Lights (<10,000)...ONOn leaving the active runway(When the airplane crosses the hold short line)Landing Lights...OFFRunway Turnoff Lights...As RequiredTaxi Lights...As RequiredWing Light...As RequiredStrobes...OFFParking & SecureBeacons...OFFAll other Exterior Lights...OFF

I do not think I have ever been on a US air carrier that turns off the Nav and strobes during flight, no matter what aaltitude they are at. I have flown Cessna

Hi Ben,That's great info - thanks very much. I've obviously been doing it all wrong! :( Cheers,

>Hi Ben,>>That's great info - thanks very much. I've obviously been>doing it all wrong! :( >>Cheers,I'm amazed at that Ray with your experience :-)Two riders I would add to Ben's list.I have seen in some checklists that the red beacon(s) should be switched on as the APU is started to warn ground crew about the exhaust. However I brought this up some time ago in a ng (I think) and there appears to be no consensus on it. Whether it is airport, country or airline dependent I don't know but I always switch the beacons on when starting the APU.Ben's list for after passing the hold short line I would say do at the hold so that if you are given immediate take off you do not have to fumble with all the pre-takeoff settings and checks.FlapsIt is normal to set flaps while taxying but I have read that in bad weather flaps are left until at the hold so that all that rain, snow, and other crud dosen't get into the exposed mechanisims.Rgds

Hi.Concerning to turn on the Anti Collision Lights (red) when engaging the APU is something that is not done at all as far as I know.At least here in Germany no company does it or law require it. The red lights are only turned on if something is moving, the engines are starting, the aircraft is pushed back or something else major that would not allow anyone to be near to the aircraft.Also APU exhaust is normaly not dangerous. As for all the newer type of jets like B737, B737NG, Airbus etc. you nearly wont even notice any heat on the ground.A bit tricky is the Dc10. She blows some real hot air down until the bottom, but its also at highes to compare with a dry blower. Maybe around 40-50

Hi Dave,Damn, I was hoping none of my friends would notice this message ;-)Anyway, given the differing ways lights are turned on (or not) depending on airline, airport or country perhaps I haven't been doing things too wrong anyway :-)Although I have the PMDG737 I don't use the panel to operate things such as the APU. I use Project Magenta and GoFlight switches to speed things up a bit! I like realism but only when it suits me ;-)The actions when lined up seem more logical when at the hold point as you say. I'll also hold off setting flaps until lined up - thanks!Never too old to learn eh :-)Cheers,

>Never too old to learn eh 800 :-(You can set the flaps during taxi Ray if the weather is fine or dry, like today for example :-)Cheers

Hi Dave,So you have to pay MORE for what should be a standard feature? Hmmm, why not use the one provided free by Lee Hetherington for the 767PIC? If you have a second display it will sit nicely on that.Thanks for the flaps tip. All extra useful info to file away although judging my the weather forecast for the next few days I may have to base myself away from EGCC :-(Cheers,

Hmm. All the ones I've see have been on, and they're certainly on as they take off and land. It IS the normal practice to use them as Ben listed.