Aircraft Lighting Systems

Group 5
Alex Simpson
Mark Gabbard
19 September 2006
Overview
Exterior Lighting
Interior Lighting

Emergency Lighting
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)
Exterior Lighting

Anti-collision
lights
Landing lights

Position lights

C-130 from www.af.mil

 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
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/
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
Other exterior lights
Cargo loading lights
Wing icing detection
lights (required)
Cannot cause glare
or reflection that
impairs crew (FAR
25.1403)

C-17 from www.af.mil

Interior Lighting
Cockpit lighting
Instrument lighting
Cabin lighting
 Cockpit Lighting
Instrument lighting
Must illuminate each
essential instrument
and switch
Direct rays must be
shielded from pilots
eyes
Must provide dimming
control A340 cockpit from
www.mmlane.com/flying/
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
Cabin Lights
Varies significantly
by aircraft type and
purpose
Usually overhead
fluorescent lights
28 volts DC

767 cabin from www.boeing.com

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
Conclusion
Exterior Lighting
Interior Lighting

Emergency Lighting
References
Federal Aviation Regulations
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_
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.
QUESTIONS?