Whether an aerodrome is used for transporting passengers or cargo, it is important that pilots who are meant to land their planes at the site can see the approach, runway, and taxiway.
This is why, without the following forms of airport night lighting in place, it might only be safe and practical for flights to arrive during daylight hours. This restriction, in turn, could needlessly curb the aerodrome’s functionality and financial potential.
Approach Lighting
Where is the approach of the airport’s runway? The pilot will be able to more easily tell when high-intensity white lights — categorised as ‘approach lighting’ — are visible on masts lined along the approach.
At an airport, this airfield lighting system could steadily shine or instead blink rapidly. Either way, they can form a white line essentially pointing towards the runway.
Runway Lighting
This type of lighting is meant to draw attention to not only the runway’s location but also its layout. Many runway lights — like approach lights — are white, including those marking the runway’s edge and centre. However, green lights illuminate the start of the runway, while red lights are used for its end.
Taxiway Lighting
As taxiways only have to be seen clearly by people on the ground, taxiway lights are not nearly as bright as runway lights. The former also differ in being blue rather than white.
Nonetheless, green lights may sometimes be used for highlighting the centreline of a taxiway, while yellow lights can indicate intersections if the airport has multiple taxiways.
Apron Lighting
Even when an aeroplane is stationary on an airport’s apron, it could still take some time for the aircraft to be cleaned and refuelled and for passengers and cargo to be loaded onto (or unloaded from) it.
So, when this is all happening at night, the apron must be kept nicely illuminated. Otherwise, those people who are active in the area could struggle to see what they are doing.
These are all types of airport night lighting we know how to professionally install in East Auckland and West Auckland. To enquire about the options available for your own local aerodrome (we can even fit LED and solar lighting to help you save money and reduce carbon emissions), please call 021 0240 3992.
