A-10 Proper RW Light Protocol?

[Need-To-Know]

In a never ending quest to do things right I am wondering if there is anyone with real world knowledge of the proper use of lights in the A-10.

 

Like : When to use flash, turn off taxi lights right before parking (not to blind marshaller) Turn on landing lights before take off, when to turn on strobe, Do not turn on taxi lights before getting clearance for taxi...blah blah blah.

 

Also I know in the Keys members of the adversary squadron, flying F5s, have to stop before entering the parking area and have their brakes checked to make sure they did not burn them up. A10s do this also?

[Need-To-Know]

Just an interesting video of Red Flag you can see different light setups.

 

Generally from several videos looks like Position lights Steady, Anti Collision lights, and Taxi lights on in the evenings sometimes during the day. Seems like not a standard

 

Still not sure of SOP but have a buddy that flies F5s/F18c and will ask him.

 

[pbishop]

I assume the air force is similar, but from army regulation 95-1 (March 11th 2014)

 

2–12. Aircraft lighting requirements

a. Army aircraft shall be illuminated to at least the minimum standards required by the country in which the flight

operation occurs.

b. Anticollision lights will be on when aircraft engines are operating except when conditions may cause vertigo or

other hazards to safety.

c. Position lights will be on bright between official sunset and sunrise.

d. Commanders may authorize exemptions to lighting requirements in threat environments or for night vision device

(NVD) flights when operating per AR 95–2. Exemption must be clearly defined and authorized by the unit commander

in standard operating procedures or mission orders.

[Damien]

Aircraft lights on steady while idling on the ground until just before moving. Aircraft will switch to flashing before taxi and will remain flashing through flight until parked.

 

-Damien

[JayPee]

As soon as you have power:

 

nav lights - FLASH

anti-collision lights - ON

formation lights - OFF during day/ON during night

 

Just before take-off:

 

nav lights - STEADY

anti-collision lights - ON

formation lights - OFF during day/ON during night

[MTFDarkEagle]

My procedure:

 

Upon APU power:

NAV - OFF

Anti-Collision - OFF

Formation - AS DESIRED

 

Upon Engine Start:

NAV - FLASH

Anti-Collision - OFF (You don't want to blind your ground crew do you? :) )

Formation - AS DESIRED

 

Upon Taxiing out:

AS ENGINE START

Taxiing-/Landing light - TAXI

 

Taxiing:

NAV - FLASH

Anti-Collision - ON

Formation - AS DESIRED

 

Take-Off:

As Taxiing

Taxi-/Takeoff light: TAKEOFF

 

After take-off, outside aerodrome circuit:

NAV - STEADY

[JayPee]

AFAIK RL checklists explicitly tell you to turn nav to steady before taking off.

[MTFDarkEagle]

AFAIK RL checklists explicitly tell you to turn nav to steady before taking off.

The dash-1 indicates:

 

BEFORE TAKEOFF

 

...

 

16. Exterior lights - As required

 

...

[JayPee]

I'll post a CL later when I'm at my pc.

[MTFDarkEagle]

I'll post a CL later when I'm at my pc.

A real life on yes :music_whistling:

[effte]

This is one thread, or rather type of thread, where I would like those posting procedures to indicate the source(s). Otherwise, it's "some guy on the interwebs said..."

 

As we all know, that's the Ultimate Source of The Truth. :)

[MTFDarkEagle]

This is one thread, or rather type of thread, where I would like those posting procedures to indicate the source(s). Otherwise, it's "some guy on the interwebs said..."

 

As we all know, that's the Ultimate Source of The Truth. :)

 

;)

 

I quoted the Dash-1.. Does it get more real than that? :P

[Luzifer]

AFAIK RL checklists explicitly tell you to turn nav to steady before taking off.

 

The red/green/white nav lights are legally required to be steady (AFAIK for ICAO countries). Logically then flashing lights would only be used on the ground. Taxiing with the intention to fly may legally be even part of the flight, so steady lights might be required even then.

 

RL checklists would reflect that of course.

[Need-To-Know]

So I still have not finalized my squadrons light procedures yet.

 

Currently my Real World fighter pilot buddy is in Virginia Beach getting qualified on the F18 Charlie.

 

I did watch this video. (BOTTOM)

Notes from the video:

Start it at 6:16 for lights

 

Looks like:

In parking:

NOSE ILLUM: ON

POSITION LTS: STEADY

ANTI COLLISION: OFF

FORMATION:OFF

TAXI LIGHT: OFF

 

Taxi:

NOSE ILLUM: ON

POSITION LTS: FLASH

ANTI COLLISION: ON

FORMATION:OFF

TAXI LIGHT: ON

Note on Taxi Light -Kept off when Marshaller is working with AC

 

Take Off:

Switch from Taxi to Landing lights

 

[effte]

;)

 

I quoted the Dash-1.. Does it get more real than that? :P

 

Well, that is a real source. Unfortunately, it is also about as useful as a badger in a dance contest. "As required"... Good try though! Repworthy. :P

 

Thinking more on the lines of what lays down the required lighting, i e

 

5.17. Aircraft Lighting

5.17.1. Reduced Lighting. MAJCOMs may authorize reduced or light-out operations in restricted

and warning areas in the MAJCOM supplement to this instruction.

5.17.1.1. Formation Lighting. MAJCOMs may authorize formation flights to vary their lighting

configuration according to the aircraft type and mission requirement. The MAJCOM must ensure

guidance on this type of operation is provided and that it ensures adequate visual identification of

the formation.

5.17.2. Position Lights. Display position lights between the hours of official sunset and sunrise:

5.17.2.1. Immediately before engine start and when an engine is running. Aircraft that do not

have power available before start shall turn them on as soon as power is available.

5.17.2.2. When parked in an area likely to create a hazard or while being towed, unless clearly

illuminated by an outside source.

5.17. Aircraft Lighting.

5.17.1. Reduced Lighting. MAJCOMs may authorize reduced or light-out operations in restricted

and warning areas in the MAJCOM supplement to this instruction.

5.17.1.1. Formation Lighting. MAJCOMs may authorize formation flights to vary their lighting

configuration according to the aircraft type and mission requirement. The MAJCOM must ensure

guidance on this type of operation is provided and that it ensures adequate visual identification of

the formation.

5.17.2. Position Lights. Display position lights between the hours of official sunset and sunrise:

5.17.2.1. Immediately before engine start and when an engine is running. Aircraft that do not

have power available before start shall turn them on as soon as power is available.

5.17.2.2. When parked in an area likely to create a hazard or while being towed, unless clearly

illuminated by an outside source.

 

but A-10 specific. AFI11-2A-OA-10V3 contains some information, but IIRC it's not really exhaustive. I'll check later. Nav light steady in the air is there though I'm afraid. :)

 

Edit: Heck, this is later. AFI11-2A-OA-10V3 3.19, night ops:

 

Flight/element leads anti-collision OFF and pos lights STEADY (BRIGHT or DIM if desired) when reaching the run-up position. Wingment with anti-collision ON unless directed to keep them OFF, switching them ON and the pos lights to BRIGHT/STEADY at brakes release. Formation lights ON.

 

After join-up, only the last aircraft will have the anti-collision strobes ON.

 

I expect procedures to vary wildly, depending on unit, base and situation though - still interested to hear a more official word than some old AF instruction dug up on the interwebs.

 

There's also this thread on the subject. Knew I'd been discussing it before on here.

Edited March 20, 2014 by effte

[Need-To-Know]

Thanks effte,

 

Good call on the other thread - Took away some brevity I did not know and will adjust our "speak" a bit with that.

LIGHTS - Means = Position lights

SMASH - Means= Anti-collision lights

 

I have added a proposal for our squadron for these light procedures.

 

Once approved I may post our procedures here.

 

Rep added

[ZaltysZ]

I am not a RL pilot and can share only what I have gathered from various people and documents. Let's say we don't use purely military base, which can have "mind" of its own, but some airfield which operates accordingly to international civil aviation practices (they are not written in stone and varies a bit from country to country and even from company to company). So:

 

1) If aircraft is operational (power/engines on) on the ground and it has anti-collision lights, they should be turned on. Anti-collision lights include beacon and strobe lights.

2) Strobe lights can be turned off, if they affect other pilots, ground personnel and so on. If this is the case, strobes are turned on just after entering the runway or crossing active runway.

3) Positional lights should be turned on and steady the whole flight. Strobes should be on, unless they are a distraction (reflections from cloud and etc.)

4) It recommended to switch from taxi to landing lights only when cleared for takeoff. It is supposed to signal others the intent for taking off.

 

Going back to our A10. DCS flight manual and A10 checklists hint such lights usage:

 

On ramp while operational: flashing positional and strobes off

Taxi: flashing positional and strobes off

Runway/Flight: steady positional and strobes on

 

A10 has anti-collision lights, but they come only as strobes. A10 lack the beacon, which would be more eye friendly. I think flashing positional lights are supposed to be a substitute for anti-collision lights while on the ground and when strobes can't be used. If this is true, then having flashing positional lights while powering up and taxing makes sense in conjunction with previously mentioned civil aviation practices. Further, turning strobes only after lineup before takeoff also makes sense.

[Need-To-Know]

In the end this is what we adopted:

 

Parking Area - (Before Startup- with APU or Ground Power)

Wait for Lead to call out: Lights in the parking areas. After that follow these light procedures

POSITION LTS: to STEADY

NOSE ILLUM: ON

ANTI COLLISION: OFF

FORMATION:OFF

TAXI LIGHT: OFF

 

Once Taxi Clearance is received:

POSITION LTS: FLASH

ANTI COLLISION: ON

TAXI LIGHTS: ON - If ground crew present wait until they are clear of front

 

Cleared for Take Off:

POSITION LTS: STEADY

NOSE ILLUM: OFF

ANTI COLLISION: ON

TAXI LIGHT: LANDING -Once lined up on runway

Night - FORMATION: BRIGHT

 

Once Airbourne - IF in formation :

POSITION LTS: STEADY

ANTI COLLISION: OFF Strobe is off to not distract your wingman. (singleton use Strobes)

FORMATION:ON BRIGHT

TAXI LIGHT: OFF

 

FENCH IN

Lead: Fence In - ALL LIGHTS OFF - FORMATION: BRIGHT can stay on if briefed

[howie87]

In the 476th we do:

 

Before startup: position lights - flash

Taxi: Taxi light on if dark, pilot discretion during day

Entering runway: landing light on, anti collision on, position lights steady.

Night: formation lights on at startup and throughout

 

I also do a bit of general aviation flying and follow very similar procedures.

 

In general, the landing light and strobes only go on when entering the runway.

[Snoopy]

In the 476th we do:

 

Before startup: position lights - flash

Taxi: Taxi light on if dark, pilot discretion during day

Entering runway: landing light on, anti collision on, position lights steady.

Night: formation lights on at startup and throughout

 

Which is the same as directed at Moody AFB.

[howie87]

And you can't get any more realistic than that!

 

The flashing lights say "look out, I'm here and I'm either about to start up or my engines are already running" and the strobes and landing light let other aircraft know you're on the runway.

[Aginor]

The only thing I could find was this.

IIRC there are no consistent rules in the USAF about that. Squadrons and/or AFBs can decide parts of that themselves.

 

USAF document, No. 11-218, page 6 says:

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.

 

So thanks for your info!

[Need-To-Know]

In the 476th we do:

 

Before startup: position lights - flash

Taxi: Taxi light on if dark, pilot discretion during day

Entering runway: landing light on, anti collision on, position lights steady.

Night: formation lights on at startup and throughout

 

I also do a bit of general aviation flying and follow very similar procedures.

 

In general, the landing light and strobes only go on when entering the runway.

 

Which is the same as directed at Moody AFB.

 

Well that is good enough for me. :)

 

I remembered from GA it was set to flash before start up but went off of a few vids I had watched.

 

Going to amend our setup - Like the Flash better any hoo.

 

OK one question about the Moody setup:

 

So we are in the cockpit and just have power on, getting radio checks done, making sure everyone is in, doing a quick brief.

Do we have Position to Steady and then change them to Flash once we get Start Up clearance as a warning to ground crew?

Edited March 27, 2014 by Need-To-Know

[jcbak]

Thanks for that video. Now I can't wait for the Nevada scenery. It would be cool to have an AI ground crew salute after start up.

[JayPee]

This thread should be referenced in the thread: you know you spend too much time on DCS.... When you have 10+ post discussion going on exterior lights. :D