The Guide to Airport Runway Lights Color and Spacing

Airport runway lighting systems are super important for flying because they help pilots see where they're going when landing, moving around on the ground, or taking off. These lighting systems are made to give you the best visibility and keep you safe. They're really handy when it's dim or the weather's acting up.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standardizes runway lights' configuration, spacing, and color. These are set to ensure consistency and enhance safety for aviation operations worldwide. Flight Safety Foundation research states optimal runway visibility and guidance can eliminate aviation mishaps.

So, why are airport runway lights important for safe aviation operations? What are the light types that pilots use to guide their landing? This guide will explore the importance of runway lights, their types, and more. So, let's get started. 

The Importance of Airport Runway Lights

1- Safety

Airport runway lights ensure the safety of crews and passengers during the different phases of flight operations. They are engineered to be installed in the centerline, thresholds, and runway edges to reduce the risk of collisions or runway excursions.

For instance, when it's super foggy or raining like crazy, the right runway lights are like guiding lights for pilots. They help keep the plane lined up right with the edge of the runway so that the landings or takeoffs can be executed accurately.

2- Air Traffic Control

Runway lighting is the most important tool for air traffic control. By controlling the light, ATC can offer pilots real-time data about the active runways, current airfield status, and taxiway centerline routes.

When the planes are near the airport, the pilots contact air traffic control to get permission for landing. Once the ATC gives clearance, they tell pilots which runway lights are open and lit up.

Without these lights, it's hard to control the ATC safely. With accurate color combinations and spacing, pilots can easily identify the correct runway to land on.

3- Navigation Assistance

Airport runway lights are also crucial in assisting pilots with navigation. With the right placements, colors, and light spacing, pilots can identify key points like touchdown zones, taxiway centerline exits, or landing thresholds.

For example, if there are red lights, they indicate the end of the runway. On the other hand, green indicates the safe zone in which to continue the path. By following the right patterns, it is easy for pilots to use the runway without any accidents.

Types of Airport Runway Lighting Spacing

Here are the types of the airport runway lighting spacing:

1. Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs)

REILs are like the flashy welcome signs at the runway's end, grabbing a pilot's attention to the beginning of a safe landing zone. These bright strobes are the first hint for pilots that they are in the right spot for touchdown.

2. Runway Edge Lights

Imagine the runway edged with a string of pearls; that's what runway edge lights are like. They outline the runway's boundaries, glowing white or sometimes yellow for the last 2,000 feet or half the runway length to guide pilots during takeoffs and landing aircraft.

3. Runway Centerline Lights

Runway centerline lights are the dotted line down the runway's spine. They lead pilots straight down the runway during low-visibility conditions. They're like little breadcrumbs lighting the way, making sure planes stay on track when it really counts.

4. Threshold Lights

Threshold runway markings are the start of the runway where planes can safely touch down, like a green light saying, "You can land now!" They're a mix of green and red lights, clearly defining the runway's beginning to pilots approaching from the air.

5. Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZLs)

TDZLs spotlight the runway's touchdown area, highlighting the right spot for landing. They're like the runway rolling out a lit red carpet, helping pilots nail the perfect landing by lighting up the right runway path.

6. Taxiway Centerlight Lights

Taxiway lights are like the ground crew's friendly nudge, telling pilots, "Head this way!" as they make their way through the taxiway, holding position, connecting runways and the terminal. These lights outline taxiway centerlines in blue, leading pilots safely to their designated gates.

Special Lighting Systems

The special lighting systems for the runways include:

Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)

The Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) acts as an absolute advisor for the pilot, offering visual feedback immediately if the aircraft is on an accurate visual glide path. These lights are installed beside the runway and project a red-and-white beam pattern for pilots.

If there are white lights, it means that the plane is too high. On the other hand, all red lights indicate that the plane is still too high.

However, the combination of white and red means that the plane's approach angle is just right to land. Furthermore, the VASI system ensures safe clearance within ±10 degrees up to four nautical miles from the runway threshold along the extended runway centerline lights.

Approach Lighting System (ALS)

An approach Lighting System (ALS) is located adjacent to or on the runway. Unlike conventional lighting systems, ALS contains lighting setup exactly over the runway approach area. These lighting systems stop once they reach the threshold to indicate a light runway direction.

Moreover, they facilitate pilots' seeing directions even from far-off distances. 

The lighting setup covers 2400 to 3000 feet in the approach area to make the runway more instrumental and precise. However, the non-precise runways extend lighting over 1400 to 1500 feet in the approach area. 

The different lighting configurations of approach lighting include ALSF-1, ALSF-2, CALVERT I/ICAO-1 HIALS, CALVERT II/ICAO-2 HIALS, SSALF, MALSR, ODALS, SSALS, SSALR, and MALSF.

The simplest approach lighting system comes with a series of 17 white lights positioned crossly. The practical application of such lighting is observed at regional airports. Even international airports with a huge fleet of planes contain a complex lighting system involving red and yellow lights and standard white lights. 

Regardless of the light configuration the ALS system uses, its key feature is its decision bar. The decision bar is a row of closely positioned white lights perpendicular to the runway. Moreover, its location, which is 1000 feet before the runway approach, makes it a visual reference point. 

The Meaning of the Colors of the Runway Lights

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, an official Airshield Standards document is maintained. This publication states nine different lighting color combinations are found around the runway edges. 

Apart from this color difference, there is also a visible distinction between runway edge light spacing distance and its power.  Here is what each color represents:

1. White Lights (Edges of Runways)

White light on runway edges is essential to ensure safe aircraft operations. These lights are strategically placed along the runway edges to improve pilot visibility during poor weather conditions or low-light situations.

In this regard, the outdoor LED lighting system offers bright light. It improves the overall visibility of the runway edges, making it convenient for pilots to maintain their path accurately. 

Moreover, white lights are important in guiding pilots to land and take off flight. Due to the built-in delineating edges of the runway, these lights facilitate pilots in precise alignment of the aircraft. It also reduces the risk of off-course veering.

2. Yellow Lights (Caution or Hold Positions)

Yellow lights work as a symbolic warning for airfield pilots. These lights are positioned at places where the aircraft must be held until the pilot comprehends complete instructions. Most holding positions or points of extra attention are holding bays, taxiway intersections, and other runway points. 

Among different colors, yellow is picked deliberately due to its brightness and distinctiveness to attract attention easily. When the airport is lit with LED floodlights, yellow lights make flight take-off and landing smooth by identifying the cautionary areas and sticking to operational protocols. 

3. Green Lights (Runway Centerline Threshold or Approach End)

Green lights are also important in airport runway centerline lighting system design because they are threshold points.

Using green LED lights brings convenience to pilots in determining the exact position where the landing of the aircraft may begin. Such properly installed green color lights provide accurate cues for aviators in maintaining the plane alignment. 

By incorporating green LED lights in airport runway lighting, aviation authorities ensure a clear visual reference point for pilots. This also helps pilots improve situational management and lowers the possibility of misjudgment.

Why are LED Lights Essential for Airport Runway Illumination?

Due to its potential benefits, light-emitting diode (LED) technology is essential for airport runway illumination.

• Highly Energy Efficient

Unlike traditional lighting systems, LED lights installed on airport runways are highly energy efficient. In other words, such lights save costs for other airport operations because they consume less energy than incandescent bulbs. 

Such energy efficiency is not due to the luminosity of regular lights but due to the bright and clear LED lighting systems. These lights make runway signs and symbols effective in demonstrating warning signs and symbols. Moreover, LED lights improve the overall safety of landing and takeoff operations. 

• Durable and Long-Lasting

Also, these LED lights make lighting systems durable and long-lasting. Such longevity lowers maintenance needs, making the airport operational for a long time. This LED system makes airport runways more reliable and consistent in all weather conditions. 

• Safety

Another crucial aspect where LED runway lights are on the horizon is safety. These lights can be turned ON and OFF immediately without any hassle.

Moreover, the brightness of LED lights can also be adjusted depending on the surrounding visibility conditions. This specialty makes runway layouts smooth and accident-free for pilots in rain, fog, or poor weather conditions. 

The importance of airport lighting in making aviation operations safe is undeniable. As we know, different light configurations and colors have distinct roles on airport runways.

Pilots can clearly understand the visual cue planning to land the flight or change direction. Moreover, LED high-intensity runway lights help pilots with their decision-making capabilities. 

FAQs

What Purpose Does Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) Serve?

Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) is an important component of airport lighting. It indicates the aircraft's position to direct pilots to an ideal landing and taking-off approach.

PAPI has a built-in system of four equally spaced white and red lights placed in a row to the point where pilots approach. These four lights cue the optimal and normal glide path angles slope for the aircraft landing threshold.

What Particular Specifications Apply to Runway Edge Lights?

The airport authorities need to adopt certain specifications while installing runway edge lighting for reliable and consistent runway edge lights.

Such peculiarities involve beam angle, color rendering index (CDI), lumen output, and color temperature. Once these specs comply with an airport runway, it ensures that pilots have clear visibility for aircraft landing and takeoff operations. 

Conclusion

Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has become a crucial component in the modern lighting systems of airport runways. Due to their durability, safety, reliability, and energy efficiency, LED lights are preferred lighting systems to brighten airport runways.

Due to the continual technological advancements in LEDs and other illuminating systems, we expect that further innovations may lead to more benefits for lighting runways of airports across the globe. Based on the specific area's needs, opt for medium-intensity runway lights or high-intensity runway lights.

Ensure Safe Operations with LED Airport Lighting by Risun

The importance of airport lighting in making aviation operations safe is undeniable. As we know, different light configurations and colors have distinct roles on airport runways.

Pilots can clearly understand the visual cue planning to land the flight or change runway centerline direction. LED airport lighting fixtures help pilots with their decision-making capabilities. 

Due to the potential benefits of LED technology, airport authorities worldwide are switching to modern runway lighting solutions. At Risun, we offer high-quality, energy-efficient LED lights that fulfill airport runway lighting needs.

Contact us today to freely learn how and which products can be essential in efficient and safe airport operations.