Position / Collision lights

[Truls]

Hey,

 

I noticed that there are two different modes for the collision lights in the A-10:

 

Flashing and steady.

 

Is there a special meaning for the different modes? Are they used for the same purpose?

 

Truls

[DarkStar]

I can only speak for the F-16; steady nav lights are used on ground and means the aircraft is safe to approach for ground crew to launch or recover the plane, flashing nav lights are used when the aircraft is moving or otherwise not safe to approach, and always used when airborne. The white strobe anti-collision is turned on when leaving the ground crew and stays on during the entire flight. This is in peacetime ofcourse.

[Vekkinho]

I know many VFS flying F4-BMS MP use nav lights in different way. Flashing upon engine start and steady during taxi. This is of course wrong but when I tried to explain and add some RL proves I was ridiculed...

[Aginor]

IIRC there are no consistent rules in the USAF about that. I think paulrkii mentioned once that squadrons can decide that individually, at least to a certain degree.

Here's how I know it:

- anti-collision strobe: On when moving (taxi and flight).

- position lights: Flashing before engine start, still flashing while taxiing, steady when leaving the base's controlled air space

 

Some online squadrons tend to use the position lights to indicate readiness on the ground though. So as soon as the engine is running they turn them steady. And to be honest... I _think_ that was also how the ED tutorials for the A-10C told you to do it. I'm not sure though.

 

 

EDIT: Ignore what I said above, I found it in a USAF document, No. 11-218, page 6:

1.4. Use of Aircraft Lights.

1.4.1. For aircraft equipped with anti-collision lights, the lights must be on from just prior to

engine start until engine shutdown.

1.4.1.1. Aircraft that do not have power available before engine start shall turn anti-

collision lights on as soon as power is available.

1.4.2. From sunset to sunrise all moving aircraft shall display position lights and lights to

clearly illuminate the extremities of the aircraft.

1.4.2.1. From sunset to sunrise, moving aircraft with no power available to operate

lighting systems, such as aircraft being towed, shall use wing-walkers with lighted

wands, or another means to illuminate the extremities of the aircraft in motion.

1.4.3. Flashing lights may be switched off or reduced in intensity if they will adversely

affect the performance of duties, or subject an outside observer to harmful glare.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Aginor