why do airplanes need headlights????

Answer 1

Yes I love your bedroom eyes

Aircraft typically have three types of lights

landing lights, that point downwards and illuminate the runway just prior to landing so the pilot knows when to flare (pull back on the stick, so the landing isn't too hard)

Taxi lights, that point straight ahead allowing the pilot to see where he is going when on the ground, just like driving at night you need lights to see where you are going , and in addition aircraft have :

Navigation lights that allow other aircraft to see him, red green and flashing

There are also lights called ice lights that light the wing leading edge in icing conditions, and finally some aircraft have

logo lights that light the logo on the tail (marketing reasons only)

Answer 2

Well, you've certainly had some interesting answers. What you're thinking of as headlights are actually landing lights. These are very powerful lights angled slightly downward to illuminate the runway while landing, giving the pilot visual cues of the runway for the landing flareout. When you are on approach, the runway looks like a deep, black, rectangular hole with lights around it. New pilots learning night operations often find it a little spooky. Military trained pilots learn to land without the aircraft's landing lights to simulate electrical failure. Really not that hard, just something to get used to. The lights are not needed on takeoff, and I prefer to leave them off. After lining up on the runway, I even turn off the taxi light, which is similar to a headlight. My plane has the taxi light mounted on the nose wheel strut and turns when I turn the nose wheel. Hope that helps. An old pilot.

Answer 3

Airplanes do not have headlights, they have landing lights, navigation lights and of course taxi and turnoff lights.

The closest thing they have to a headlight is the taxi light which they use when on the ground and moving about. The external lights on an aircraft are more for others to see them than for them to see whats outside of the cockpit.

Answer 4

Aircraft are often equipped with landing lights and taxi lights. Landing lights throw a narrow beam straight forward to help the pilot see the runway at night. Taxi lights have a wide beam, and help the pilot get around on the ground at night -- which can be confusing. They are legally required for some operations, but you can in fact operate an aircraft without using them. For operation at towered airports, the lights are turned on in the airport traffic area so that the tower controllers can more easily see the airplanes.

Answer 5

So their pilots can c other airplanes on the ground in poor visibility instead of bumping into each other, or when trying to park...or even during final approaches to landings...all airplanes in the vicinity can easily spot one another & figure out whos trying to land etc...heck, its almost for the same reasons that cars have headlights and parking lights. Think about it.

Answer 6

Technically its because they can warn the other planes of thier presense u might have noted tht the headlights are even open during the day they also warn the ATC that a plane is approaching the runway u might also have noticed that they r so powerul tht they r visible even from miles..

Answer 7

They don't have "headlights". They do have landing lights and sometimes taxi lights. For obvious reasons -- so the pilot can see when it's dark. Duh!

Landing lights are usually turned on day or night for landing to make the aircraft easier to see.

Answer 8

hi,
headlights are needed for a pilot to see the runway during night time or to see other flights landing or take -off during night,actually it`s a indication

Answer 9

Landing lights serve to illuminate the runway, and also serve as a visual for other aircraft in the landing pattern. These lights are used in both take off and landing.

Answer 10

You are right. WIth modern gadgetery and advanced landing systems, the headlights are more or less obsolete. I am sure in some years we may have aircrafts with no glasses in cockpits and the cameras and night vision equipment will take over. In fact even the cockpit may be relocated elsewhere leaving the area for the most premium customers