What additional runway lights are used during ILS approach?

Question

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2848034

In the above article additional lights are referenced that are used by pilots during an instrument landing. These are in addition to those which line the runway. What exactly are these additional lights they are talking about here? I fly commercially often and only see lights on the ramps and runways (but then I never see the runway on approach so maybe something from the air?)

Answer 1

The lights referred to in the article are lights that basically extend the runway and provide the pilot a visual clue to the runway environment before he gets to the runway. Sometimes, a pilot will "break out" from under the overcast during an instrument approach over the runway and too high to land. There are various configurations, many of which use a flashing white strobe-light effect, (nickname - the "rabbit") giving the impression that the light is travelling toward the runway centerline. These lights are part of the "runway environment" which on being seen by the pilot, allows him to visually land the airplane without necessarily seeing the actual runway. As one of the previous responders mentioned, VASI (visual approach system indicator lights) provide the pilot a visual indication of whether he is above, below or on the glideslope. These would not be used during a precision instrument approach because the pilot would be gliding the plane down the glideslope by using a glideslope radio beam broadcast from the runway (the little orange and white house down near the end of the runway).

For a complete guide to runway lighting see the Airman's Information Manual chapter at:

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/Chap2/aim0201.html

The article makes a good point - typically these runway extension lights are much brighter than the runway edge or centerline lights. Also, in fog, the flashing strobe shows up usually before the other lights do, as it's bright and moving.

If you drive around a major airport, you'll usually see a series of towers extending out from the end of the runway. The lights are mounted on those towers.

When you're shooting an instrument approach at night or in bad weather and those lights pop into view, it sure is a welcome sight!

Answer 2

There is more than one,
What the other poster described with the "red, you are dead is in reference to is the visual approach slope indicator, (VASI) or Precision Approach path indicator, located on the side of the approach end of the runway, sometimes on both sides. this helps the pilot stay on the glide path
You also have the approach Lighting system (ALSF) which is a
series of white flashing lights 2400 to 3000 feet long leading to the runway center that light up in sequence .Among pilots and controllers this often called the rabbit. you also have a row of green lights going left to right across the end of the runway at the approach end and red on the other end.(REIL)
and you will have a touchdown zone and center line lighting.
All to help the pilot see the runway environment, as he must to continue the approach.

Answer 3

Biker bee is correct...
The pilot will see approach lights that line up with the center line of the runway. They are bright and usually blink starting with the farthest to the nearest and start over again.
Also there are precision approach lights. These come in several different formats... But basically the send out different colored light at different angles referenced to the runways. If the pilot is on too shallow an approach they are red (If red your dead).. if they show green you are coming down at the correct angle, or glide slope, to reach the runway.

Answer 4

ILS is used even as flying less than device Flight regulations (IFR) to align with the runway and (typically) drift slope even as the runway isn't truly in sight. reckoning on the category of the ILS mind-set, quicker or later the pilot must have the runway in sight or he ought to keep on with the neglected mind-set technique, so maximum ILS procedures end even as the pilot turns off the autopilot (or ceases to position self assurance in the ILS signals) and aligns and lands through hand. ILS autoland is likewise a possibility, in which the plane is landed immediately through the autopilots. for that reason, the ILS is left on till the plane touches down on the runway. some plane use the ILS to keep the plane on the centerline of the runway because it includes a end, also. ILS isn't used for take-off.

Answer 5

Your in the wrong seat to accurately see the lights.