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
Boeing 757 from
Taxi lights, 250W 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 http://www.aopa.org/online_gallery/
AC
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 A340 cockpit from
dimming control 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/Regulator
y_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?