Guiding Lights
We all need a little guidance from time to time. Figuratively, of course, but I’m speaking literally here. Lighting often provides visual direction in uncertain situations. Light colors and patterns can also be used to communicate universally without the need to understand a particular language. In an international parking garage, we might be guided by red or green lights indicating available spaces. Racing to a hospital in a foreign country in the wee hours of the morning, we might be guided through safe passages by bollards. As aircrafts also have a need to communicate universally, sometimes in international air space, they require a specific type of light to assist their guidance. These are called aircraft landing lights.
You might think these lights operate similarly to headlights on a car, and in a way you’d be right. They are designed to illuminate the runway and surrounding terrain as the aircraft begins and ends its journey. However, the landing lights, mounted on the wings or underneath the fuselage, are WAY brighter than any headlights and in fact must be turned off when near ground crew workers or passenger terminals as their brightness can cause eye damage. Taxi lights and other exterior lights are commonly seen while aircrafts are on the ground. Once the plane has taxied out a safe distance, aircraft landing lights are engaged to aid in critical maneuvers like take-offs and landings.
While supplying extremely bright and directed light for departures and approaches, aircraft landing lights are often left on during climbs and descents and in crowded airspaces or during busy commuter hours to serve another purpose. Since they are so bright, they can be seen for miles by other pilots (even in daylight) and can be essential in preventing mid-air collisions. Once a proper cruising altitude has been reached, the landing lights are usually turned off until landing protocols are initiated.
As you can imagine, lights on the exterior of an aircraft must be not only bright; they must be able to withstand extreme climatic and vibration conditions. At 1000Bulbs, we offer several lamps in incandescent and halogen technologies to fit the bill. Depending on the size and scope of the aircraft, these bulbs, available in several differing sizes and candlepowers, will require little maintenance over their long life and provide reliable operation for many safe flights.
Aircraft landing lights are just a few of the many specialty products offered at 1000Bulbs.com. To discuss your next lighting project with a seasoned professional, give one of our staff a call at 1-800-624-4488. Better at typing out your question thank explain over the phone? Try out our convenient pop-up chat feature at the bottom right corner of our web pages.
