Why do aircraft pilots switch off cabin lights while take-off and landing?

Question

You might have heard while flying, the air hostess announcing that the cabin lights will be turned off but the reading lights can still be used. Just curious to know what's the reason behind it? Any guesses?

Answer 1

All wrong. First, it is the flight attendants that turn the lights on and off. The reasons you guys come up with are killing me!

It's for no reason other than cabin ambiance. That's it.

Answer 2

So the flight crew and passengers are accustomed to the lighting outside the aircraft in the event of an emergency and have to evacuate the aircraft. Same reason that the window shade should be up for take off and landing, so the flight crew can see out and assess the situation if an emergeny arose.

Answer 3

I saw a similar question posted some time ago and here is the response:

Because FAA regulations have specific lighting requirements for planes (as in tall lights, head lights, wing tip lights) that must be observed below a certain altitude in order to easily determine the orientation of the airplane. The interior lights will shine through the windows and may confuse other pilots/control tower who are trying to figure out which way a plane is heading.

link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006060205067

Answer 4

I think the restriction occurs only at night.

It could be to prevent light entering the cockpit and messing up the pilots' night vision if the cockpit door was suddenly opened while the plane was landing or taking off.

But if this restriction applies on a 747, then either the rule is stupid or my hypothesis is wrong

Answer 5

Two reasons -

In the interest of safety, passengers need to have a clear view of what is happening outside, a dim light allows the eyes to adjust itself for this purpose.

& to save power as maximum electric power is required during take off when several complex electrical equipments & high intensity lights are used.

Answer 6

to have clear view because when it takes off the headlight of the other plane which is landing would hit the pilot eyes and may cause glare. Also, while landing the same reason.

Answer 7

So they can see the runway better. Try this. get somewhere there is little or no light at night and you can safely stop your car.

Then stop and turn off your headlights, Let your eyes adjust to the darkness, then turn on your inside lights and try to see out off the windshield. You will find you are blinded by the inside lights. That is the same with pilots.

Answer 8

i won't be in a position to stand as much as answering this one. i'm an air site visitors controller on the Chicago ARTCC, aka "Chicago midsection". even although I relatively have heard the enormous majority of those jokes until eventually now, they simply never get previous. basically about all of those exchanges have been tongue in cheek, or basically meant for on the instant-out hilarity. maximum all air site visitors controllers have had some exchanges with pilots that on the least provide us a great snicker. between the least confusing the form to get a giggle, while it relatively is slow of direction, is quoting a line or 2 from the action picture "airplane" while a threat. a cutting-edge exchange went like this; SWA flt: "midsection, can we get Flight point 380?" Chicago: "relatively, you won't be in a position to be severe! Climb and safeguard flight point 380." SWA flt : "of direction i'm severe, and don't call me Shirley, mountain climbing to flight point 380."

Answer 9

It is to do with the air traffic regulations of not having conflicting light sources making a confusion for saftey.

Answer 10

I think its for saving power because maximum power is required before take off.