Airport Runway Lights Built for Brutal Winters 💡 Ice Airport Alaska | Smithsonian Channel

A record snowfall has technicians bracing for major damage to Ted Stevens International’s 6,000 runway lights. But the lights are already built specifically for these conditions-with many ingenious safety features.
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[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

"it's a lot of work, so if we don't have to, we just put it back." I like that man's attitude.

[@OriginalJetForMe]

This stuff is so cool, please don't cheese it up with the überdramatic production style. The intense music, the breathless, hyperbolic voiceover. Just staahhhp.

[@SidarthDasari]

Is the dramatization of changing a light bulb really necessary? Just show how the stuff works

[@amitgp271]

Nice video

[@dagguhhp]

Yay

[@ImDrivingwalkingAround]

Awesome 👍

[@Ananth8193]

Awesome ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RuiPlaneSpotter]

Nice video!

[@habun_islam]

Hlo bro!

[@agl3083]

Greetings to everyone from Atyrau International Airport ! __ ✈️_🚦_ 🛩___ 🏢🏗🏡 __

[@blhornertube]

60 lights a night what the heck, we lucky to get 1 maybe 2 a night

[@sox-on-a-duck693]

So why don't they design those lights with a tapered shaft that snaps back upright after being hit by a plow?

[@_gungrave_6802]

Better option would be to make them retract into the ground so that ground crew can go right over them without causing any damage.

[@cokemango]

@@_gungrave_6802 6000 motors that have to operate in all conditions, wouldn't work, I feel like they could automate this in the future with pathfinding snowplows.

[@_gungrave_6802]

@@cokemango You can install a pneumatic system that uses compressed air or some sort of low temperature rated fluid to fold the lights into the ground during maintenance and raise them for when the runway is in use.

[@someguy4915]

@@_gungrave_6802 Which would mean that a single failure in the pressurized supply line would instantly disable all lights on the system... So now you need a double/triple redundant supply system, a set of valves at each light, sturdy pistons which extend/retract and have a light on top and sensors to monitor system status... Then it starts to freeze and you can't retract the lights for plows to move in because everything is frozen in place and operating it would likely damage the system... Cost: millions + a few maintenance workers to maintain a mechanical system... Pros: None besides 'sounds cool'... Cons: Cost, high maintenance, complex system likely to have break downs, retractable lights likely to be frozen over anyway...

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

You should design it, patent it, and be on Shark Tank.

[@southkorea0013]

Hi

[@flix.306]

i would be so easy to keep the light working, just drive with gps courses nearby the lights

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

The plane has no Frangeables!

[@fergspan5727]

So the circuit needs to be turned off before even walking up to these lights

[@nikaalavidze]

why run 5000 v:D?

[@someguy4915]

Because your 12VDC Christmas lights just won't cut it, also 12V or even 230V won't make it over such long distances without significant voltage drop.

[@Speciation]

Everyone knows wingtips shouldn't touch.

[@stiltzy1534]

You don't have to do this. Don't go History Channel on us.

[@james-innes]

Jesus how do they even over produce something like this. All the movie music in the background and cuts just seems so silly and over the top.

[@04smallmj]

It's pretty standard for 'Murican TV shows. I think the US version of Kichen Nightmares is one of the worst. Sound effects on top of background music on top of background music...