Airport Operations

red lights on each side. A controlled stop bar is operated in Key Mike Function conjunction with the taxiway centerline lead-on lights which 7 times within 5 seconds Highest intensity available extend from the stop bar toward the runway. Following the ATC clearance to proceed, the stop bar is turned off and the Medium or lower intensity 5 times within 5 seconds (Lower REIL or REIL off) lead-on lights are turned on. The stop bar and lead-on lights Lowest intensity available are automatically reset by a sensor or backup timer. 3 times within 5 seconds (Lower REIL or REIL off) Figure 14-34. Radio controlled runway lighting. Obstruction Lights Obstructions are marked or lighted to warn pilots of their presence during daytime and nighttime conditions. Taxiway Lights Obstruction lighting can be found both on and off an airport Similar to runway lighting, taxiways also have various lights to identify obstructions. They may be marked or lighted in which help pilots identify areas of the taxiway and any any of the following conditions. surrounding runways. • Red obstruction lights—flash or emit a steady red Omnidirectional color during nighttime operations, and the obstructions Omnidirectional taxiway lights outline the edges of the are painted orange and white for daytime operations. taxiway and are blue in color. At many airports, these • High intensity white obstruction lights—flash high edge lights may have variable intensity settings that may intensity white lights during the daytime with the be adjusted by an ATC when deemed necessary or when intensity reduced for nighttime. requested by the pilot. Some airports also have taxiway • Dual lighting—a combination of flashing red beacons centerline lights that are green in color. and steady red lights for nighttime operation and high intensity white lights for daytime operations. Clearance Bar Lights Clearance bar lights are installed at holding positions on New Lighting Technologies taxiways in order to increase the conspicuity of the holding A top priority of the FAA is to continue to enhance airport position in low visibility conditions. They may also be safety while maintaining airport capacity. Reducing runway installed to indicate the location of an intersecting taxiway incursions is a major component of this effort. Runway during periods of darkness. Clearance bars consist of three incursions develop quickly and without warning during routine in-pavement steady-burning yellow lights. traffic situations on the airport surface, leaving little time for corrective action. The Runway Status Lights (RWSL) System Runway Guard Lights is designed to provide a direct indication to you that it is unsafe Runway guard lights are installed at taxiway/runway to enter a runway, cross a runway, or takeoff from or land on intersections. They are primarily used to enhance the a runway when the system is activated. conspicuity of taxiway/runway intersections during low visibility conditions, but may be used in all weather conditions. Runway status lights are red in color and indicate runway Runway guard lights consist of either a pair of elevated flashing status only; they do not indicate clearance to enter a runway yellow lights installed on either side of the taxiway, or a row of or clearance to takeoff. The RWSL system provides warning in-pavement yellow lights installed across the entire taxiway, lights on runways and taxiways, illuminating when it is unsafe at the runway holding position marking. to enter, cross, or begin takeoff on a runway. Currently, there are two types: Runway Entrance Lights (REL) and Takeoff Note: Some airports may have a row of three or five Hold Lights (THL). [Figures 14-35 and 14-36] in-pavement yellow lights installed at taxiway/runway intersections. They should not be confused with clearance REL provide a warning to aircraft crossing or entering a bar lights described previously in this section. runway from intersecting taxiways that there is conflicting traffic on the runway. THL provide a warning signal to Stop Bar Lights aircraft in position for takeoff that the runway is occupied Stop bar lights, when installed, are used to confirm the ATC and it is unsafe to take off. As of 2016, the RWSL system is clearance to enter or cross the active runway in low visibility operational at 14 of the nation’s busiest airports with 3 more conditions (below 1,200 ft Runway Visual Range (RVR)). airports scheduled to receive the system by 2017. A stop bar consists of a row of red, unidirectional, steady- burning in-pavement lights installed across the entire taxiway at the runway holding position, and elevated steady-burning 14-19