Aircraft Lighting Systems

Vaughn College

Overview
Exterior

Lighting Interior Lighting Emergency Lighting

Vaughn College

Exterior Lighting
Specifically

regulated by FAR Requires several systems for transport category aircraft

Landing lights (FAR 25.1383) Position lights (FAR 25.1385-95) Anti-collision lights (FAR 25.1401)

Vaughn College

Exterior Lighting

Anti-collision lights

Landing lights

Position lights

C-130 from www.af.mil

Vaughn College

Landing Lights
Light for night landing On wing leading edge or landing gear 28V DC or 115V AC 600W Taxi lights, 250W

Boeing 757 from www.pbase.com/airlinerphotos /aviation_night

Vaughn College

Position Lights
Also called Navigation lights Red on left wingtip Green on right White on tail 28V DC or 115 V AC

http://www.aopa.org/online_gallery/

Vaughn College

Anti-Collision Lights
Red

or white flashing 40-100 cycles per min Must illuminate the vital areas Red beacon on vertical tail White strobes on wingtips Strobes or beacons on top and bottom of fuselage
Vaughn College

Other exterior lights

Cargo loading lights Wing icing detection lights (required)

Cannot cause glare or reflection that impairs crew (FAR 25.1403)

Vaughn College

C-17 from www.af.mil

Interior Lighting
Cockpit Cabin

lighting

Instrument lighting

lighting

Vaughn College

Cockpit Lighting
Instrument

lighting Must illuminate each essential instrument and switch Direct rays must be shielded from pilots eyes Must provide dimming control
Vaughn College

Vaughn College

Cockpit Lighting
Interior lights to allow crew to perform other functions Not regulated Often red to preserve night vision

767 Cockpit from www.boeing.com

Vaughn College

Cabin Lights
Varies significantly by aircraft type and purpose Usually overhead fluorescent lights 28 volts DC

767 cabin from www.boeing.com

Vaughn College

Emergency Lighting
Required

by FAR 25.812 Must include exit marking signs, general cabin illumination, floor escape path lighting, and exterior emergency lighting Must be battery powered and separate from main electrical system
Vaughn College

Conclusion
Exterior

Lighting Interior Lighting Emergency Lighting

Vaughn College

References
Federal

Aviation Regulations http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulato ry_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf Pallett, E. H. J. Aircraft Electrical Systems. Longman Scientific & Technical. 1987. Eisman, T. K. et.al. Aircraft Electricity and Electronics. McGraw-Hill. 1989.

Vaughn College