# Key Takeaways - Night airport operations require a thorough understanding of lights and their meanings. - Proper planning will help identify the airport while inbound, then use the runway and taxiways effectively. # Details ## Airport Lights ### Visual Glideslope Indicators ([[VGSI]]) - [[VASI]] - [[PAPI]] - P2L vs P4L - P2L vs P2R - Tri-color ### Runway Area Details on each runway can be found in the [[Chart Supplement]]. - [[REIL]] - [[Operation Below DA or MDA#Runway, Markings, Lights|Runway edge lights]] ([[LIRL]], [[MIRL]], [[HIRL]]) - [[Operation Below DA or MDA#Threshold, Markings, Lights|Threshold lights]] - Runway Centerline, [[TDZL#^image|touchdown zone lights]], [[LAHSO]] lights ### Taxiway - Taxiway Edge Lights, Taxiway Centerline Lights - > [!example]- By <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ATL_TWY_B_-_RWY_Crossing_(13534655025).jpg">John Murphy</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons > <img src="https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/ATL_TWY_B_-_RWY_Crossing_%2813534655025%29.jpg/1280px-ATL_TWY_B_-_RWY_Crossing_%2813534655025%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=thumbnail"></img> - Taxiway Centerline Lead-Off/On, Clearance Bar, Runway Guard, Stop Bar Lights ([[SMGCS#^image|diagram]]) > [!tip] See [Taxiway Lighting](https://pilotinstitute.com/taxiway-lighting/) from [[Pilot Institute]] for significantly more details ### Approach Lighting Systems > [!quote] From [[AIM 2]]-1-1 > [[ALS]] provide the basic means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing. ### Beacons | Light Sequence | Meaning | | ------------------------ | ----------------------- | | <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:lightgreen;">Green</span> | Lighted land airport | | <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:lightgreen;">Green</span> | Lighted land (military) | | <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:Yellow;">Yellow</span> | Lighted water airport | | <span style="background-color:lightgreen;">Green</span> / <span style="background-color:Yellow;">Yellow</span> / <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> | Lighted heliport | ### Obstacles - Berms - Wind farms ## Pilot-Controlled Lighting ([[PCL]]) - Pilot-controlled lighting and how to operate - 15 minute duration - Key mike intended number of times within 5 seconds > [!tip] > It is possible for a tower-controlled light system to be turned off, even with pilots inbound. > > If you can't find a towered airport at night, you may need to ask for the lights to be turned on. ## Which Lights Are Available This is good to brief as part of [[All Available Information Concerning That Flight]]. Consider questions like: - Which side of the runway is the VASI? - Is the windsock lighted? - Are there any obstacles on final to be careful of? ## Less Common Lights - [[RWSL]] > [!question] Can you identify the lights from [[AOPA]]'s [runway safety slides](https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/runwaysafetyflashcard/index.php#/p/60)? # Additional Resources - [[AIM 2]] - [[PHAK Ch14]] - [[AC 70-7460-1]] - [Runway Lights Explained | Colors, Spacing, Types](https://pilotinstitute.com/runway-lights-explained-colors-spacing-types/) from [[Pilot Institute]] #concept