Publication: IFR
Publication Date: 01-SEP-07
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Author: Holston, Ken

Article Excerpt
Despite some of you always having assumed that approach lighting is about as organized as the flash bulbs on a paparazzi rope line, you can rest easy knowing that it was intelligently laid out to help satisfy the needs of pilots emerging from the clag.

By breaking down each style to its basic fundamentals, you'll notice that the systems target the type of approach that serves the runway as well as its associated visibility limits. In case you never thought of it, the array also helps provide a predictable visual image that acts to bridge the gap between IMC and visual flight; adding a critical measure of safety while the pilot acquires the necessary orientation to land.

Rules First

Before delving into rabbits and Miller light bars, it's wise to review the rules of road that we, as Part 91 pilots, must satisfy in order to land. Having this knowledge fresh will help reveal why the features of the various lighting layouts were placed there to begin with.

Of course, FAR 91.175 speaks loudest on this topic. Paraphrased, it says that, in order to operate below MDA or DH, you must satisfy certain conditions. First, you must have the flight visibility called for on the plate. Second, it provides a list of 10 items, such as threshold markings or approach lights, any one of which, if seen, permits continuing lower. Third, it specifies that to physically land you must again verify that flight visibility meets the minimum on the plate.

Now, those of you who know this rule well are thinking that I've omitted something very important. We'll debate importance later but the missing verbiage is: "... the pilot may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone...



NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



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