Aircraft Lights tutorial???????

[jdl571]

Is there a good tutorial for using the different aircraft lights ie:strobe, navigation , taxi etc...such as when, what altitude etc...
any help is appreciated guys! :)

[jdl571]

bump

[artburke]

Don't know of a specific tutorial for lights...

Airlines are required to have landing lights on below 10,000 feet (I would assume this applies to darkness/dusk, etc., although a plane with the landing lights on *is* generally easier to see from the front (or if it's about to run over your Cessna from the back!).

The landing lights in FS2004 are really nasty creatures (in my opinion). If I'm taxiing around after dark, I tend to use the taxi lights instead.

When you get ready to start the aircraft (particularly GA aircraft where anybody might be wandering around), you should turn on the BEACON before firing up the engine(s). Then, once the engines are turning (only a deaf guy wouldn't hear them!), turn off the beacon and turn on the NAV lights (strobes). I tend to run the strobes all the time the plane is running. It helps call attention to the plane regardless of where you are.

I won't tell you when you should turn on the panel lights! <g>
Art

[kconlon]

As I check my C152 Checklist...
Throttle - open 1/4"-1/2"
Mixture - Rich
Primer - As required/ locked
Beacon Light - ON
Master - ON
Panel - as required
Clear Prop
Magneto - To Start/both

Usually the strobes are on only when your x-ponder is on/Alt , (not usually on while on taxiway)

Positioning Lights are usually on from sunset to sunrise or as required. (FAR ss 91.209)

I was instructed to use taxi light for taxiing, landing light for take-off/landing only (glare issue and ruins night vision).

Beacon is turned off at the end of the flight after the engine is off but before the master is off.

Also, if flying in fog/clouds your strobes are usually off.

Kevin
PP-SEL

[heyer]

>When you get ready to start the aircraft (particularly GA
>aircraft where anybody might be wandering around), you
>should turn on the BEACON before firing up the engine(s).

Same with the big iron.

>Then, once the engines are turning (only a deaf guy wouldn't
>hear them!), turn off the beacon and turn on the NAV lights
>(strobes). I tend to run the strobes all the time the plane
>is running.

Negative on that: You keep the beacons running as long as your engines are runnning.

The NAV lights are red, green and white but not flashing and you turn them on before you turn on the beacons.

The strobes are white strongly flashing lights which are normally turned on after entering the RWY until you leave the RWY again. With some aircraft (i.e. the DC9) the strobes start flashing automatically when airborne.

Under certain weather conditions (i.e. when flying through white clouds or fog in darkness) sometimes it can be a good idea to turn off the strobes because the strong flashes can get quite annoying to your eyes.

[jeffhunter]

Here in OZ we are trialling all lights on for all aircraft below 10,000 ft. It's not mandatory, but strongly recommended within 10nm or any aerodrome. Obviously if conditions dictate it, strobes can be off.

Rather different from what I was originally taught, which was that you didn't even need to use the beacon.

Note, in some aircraft, you can't turn the beacon on without turning the strobes on, too - like the Seneca II. Tends to annoy others on the the apron a lot.

Jeff