The ops question is more of a general aviation question, something you learn in the Jepp Private Pilot manual and can actually be on the written test. So, the question would be answered correctly by anyone who has any aviation experience or just someone with any common sense. But I get your humor. Isn't everyone here a 37 pilot? Just like everyone in jail is inocent. ;)

Well, the topic is What do RW 737 pilots use? and people are talking about red overhead lights. . . I still haven't found one of those on a 737.PPL books don't talk about, [edit: you won't find this question on your written exam] "You've been awake for 15 hours and you're half-way into a red-eye transcon. What cockpit lighting would be appropriate?"A:Strobes and a beaconB: Map and ChartC: Flood at dimD: Headlamp on blue or greenE: Whatever the heck you want, because it's 2:30am, you're at FL380 and you're not wearing Foggles or requesting "multiple approaches"

PPL books don't talk about, "You've been awake for 15 hours and you're half-way into a red-eye transcon. What cockpit lighting would be appropriate?"

No it doesn't talk about that, but it does go into good detail regarding aviation related physiology, which talks about altitude sickness, hypoxia and the effects of white light/bright light on the eye and brain, just to mention a few.Strobes and beacon aren't cockpit lights, but they can effect the crew on the ground and in IMC, hopefully you don't have the strobes on durring taxi. Map and chart lights if your reading the plates. Headlamp? Is this like a headband with an led on it?Yes, pilot discretion.I'm not here for a pissing contest, I gotta run and gota work. Thanks for being here to monitor the forums... JB

No it doesn't talk about that, but it does go into good detail regarding aviation related physiology, which talks about altitude sickness, hypoxia and the effects of white light/bright light on the eye and brain, just to mention a few.Strobes and beacon aren't cockpit lights, but they can effect the crew on the ground and in IMC, hopefully you don't have the strobes on durring taxi. Map and chart lights if your reading the plates. Headlamp? Is this like a headband with an led on it?Yes, pilot discretion.I'm not here for a pissing contest, I gotta run and gota work. Thanks for being here to monitor the forums...JB

"A:Strobes and a beacon" was a trick answer, because yes, those are external. The FAA likes those, as I recall.You'll find my tongue is at least half-in-cheek on my posts.

Landing lights - on below FL100, off above FL100. Also good idea to turn them on when crossing runways (see and avoid).Taxi - whenever you have clearance to move.Runway turnoff - used during taxi to locate taxi ways.Wing - on while looking for ice.Wheel - on ground inspection.Position - Steady on with electrical power to the aircraft. Strobe - on when cleared for takeoff.Anti-colliion - on from engine start to engine stop.Cockpit Interior:Back/flood -lighting - on when dark.Dome - on during cockpit preparation and as desired while in cruise. Do not use during takeoff/descent. It affects your night vision.

For real 737NG ops, this is the definitive answer to this post.John Floyd

My understanding is many airlines SOP requires wing lights on below either FL 200 or FL 180. And of course landing lights at 10000 or below.

Well, the topic is What do RW 737 pilots use? and people are talking about red overhead lights. . . I still haven't found one of those on a 737.PPL books don't talk about, [edit: you won't find this question on your written exam] "You've been awake for 15 hours and you're half-way into a red-eye transcon. What cockpit lighting would be appropriate?"A:Strobes and a beaconB: Map and ChartC: Flood at dimD: Headlamp on blue or greenE: Whatever the heck you want, because it's 2:30am, you're at FL380 and you're not wearing Foggles or requesting "multiple approaches"

The important question in that situation is how many degrees of seat back recline to use.

The important question in that situation is how many degrees of seat back recline to use.

...and do some of the 73s come with egg timers like some of the 75s?

Hey Spin...I think you had mentioned once before that your an SIC in the 73. Can you do me a favor and look on the MEL and tell us what INTERIOR COCKPIT lights are listed and possibly the procedures, if any, for operative 121 revenue flight with those inop items?Thanks

For American Airlines: Cockpit: Preflight all back lighting on Overhead optional but the all the MCP, radio tuninig panels, and clocks are hard to read in the daytime with the other backlighting off. Pressuization panle is controlled by the DIM/BRT/TEST light on the main panel Dome Light bright (at night) All Flood lights Captain's preference (at night) Taxi up to Cruise: Same as above but dome light off Cruise: Dome light typically on if it's a redeye not so often during normal waking hours night time. Descent through gate arrival: Dome light back off if it was on At gate typically Dome light on. Extrior Lights: At the gate Position Steady Before pushback Anti Collision On When in motion Taxi light on When cleared on to the runway Wing lights and Runway Turnoff lights on When cleared for takeoff Position Strobe and Steady Landing lights on Passing FL180 (climb) Position lights Strobe and Steady, Anti Collsion lights On, all other lights off. Passing FL180 (descent) Position lights Strobe and Steady, Anti Collsion lights On Night or Dusk Wing, Runway Turnoff and Landing Lights On Day may be left off at the Captain's discretion When cleared to land a typical Captain technique Taxi light on After landing Position Steady, Anit Collison on Taxi on when in motion Landing light and Wing lights off Runway Turnoff lights on as necessary At the gate Positon lights Steady all other lights off

Tom, any chance you have access to the MEL when your not at the office?

Done a red-eye? Some pilots like to go "daytime" in cruise.

I wasn't talking about having to use the lights because you're going to fall asleep, although that brings up some very scary and questionable thoughts about your ability and safety.

For real 737NG ops, this is the definitive answer to this post.John Floyd

Not really. Runway turnoff are mainly used the same as strobes. Also many airlines use landing lights until FL180.

A pilot flying at night almost always turns down the lights to the least bright settings. dome lights? never in flight. On the ground during preparation or getting ready to leave the airplane, yes.

I wasn't talking about having to use the lights because you're going to fall asleep, although that brings up some very scary and questionable thoughts about your ability and safety.

Who said anything about sleeping or preventing it? When you say "dome lights? never in flight," that might be your preference, but I wouldn't couch it as what all pilots do and not with a never.As some have said, it's up to each pilot and the situation. Need more light? Dome works great.

Hey Spin...I think you had mentioned once before that your an SIC in the 73. Can you do me a favor and look on the MEL and tell us what INTERIOR COCKPIT lights are listed and possibly the procedures, if any, for operative 121 revenue flight with those inop items?Thanks

33-1B Cockpit yada yada yada Lighting System is a Cat C MEL, Crew can Placard, and a) make sure you can see the stuff; :( make sure you're not blinded; c) acceptable to the crew. More or less.It seems like the only one that ever breaks is the chart light. I would think the dome and emer floods would be a little more important since they can run on the Batt during a dual gen failure, but I guess you can have both MEL'd at the same time.

Who said anything about sleeping or preventing it? When you say "dome lights? never in flight," that might be your preference, but I wouldn't couch it as what all pilots do and not with a never.As some have said, it's up to each pilot and the situation. Need more light? Dome works great.

Except on rare occasions, dome light is used on the ground.

Ok found it... gotta love google...Page 33-1 at the tophttp://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?docId=721B270004F22900862579A00065D726So pretty much as long as you can see the instruments, the lights don't inhibit your view and the intensity is acceptable then your good.