Runway Lighting Explained

[@KnightPilot]

Some more fun facts:- 1. At remote airports with no control tower, pilots can turn on the runway lights by tuning an associated frequency and clicking the mic button several times. The pilot can then adjust the intensity of those lights with subsequent clicks on the mic. 2. Control Towers can flash all runway lighting on and off to alert vehicles and aircraft to vacate the runway immediately.

[@IntellectualHazard]

Yeah that was in Air Crash Investigation

[@SierraDelta-]

They r u testing a thing I’m Texas we’re the Pali lights flash automatically if someone is on the runway, if you are below 500 feet and the papi flashes u have to go around

[@sambriggs7258]

@Aidan Bavinton www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap2_section_1.html#:~:text=When%20an%20aircraft%20or%20vehicle,may%20be%20unsafe%20to%20land.

[@H.EL-Othemany]

@@SierraDelta- hell' can we have that in FSX ? A software or something that adds those features maybe?

[@mariordz99]

The quality of production of your videos is amazing, and the videos are very complete and easy to understand, thanks for making them!! Keep up the great work!

[@Doofer911]

Thanks mario, I'm really glad my videos are coming across as intended!

[@MikeTheBaller2009]

I agree 100%

[@rjc0234]

I just started looking into keyframe animation, and when those centre line lights started flashing I though "those animations must have taken hours for a 10 second effect".

[@sherinpjose]

😮

[@sherinpjose]

Mekosoek😂🎉

[@northwestthrills3453]

This really helped me with my my city skylines airport.

[@Doofer911]

I'm glad, thanks for watching :)

[@gege212011]

As always Doofer is a reference flight sims tutorials...Thank you very much taking your time to make such comprehensive videos. Very nice you help everybody who are interested on this subject. Have a nice week. Waiting for the next video.

[@CaptainJadenAR]

Sir, thank you for this video. I watched your Runway Markings, Taxiway Markings, Lights videos. I noted down and I understood. Thank you sir for this video. This will help me for my future ambition.

[@jbreezy101]

Sometimes the runway end identifier lights and/ or the touchdown zone lights can change between red and green.These are called status lights, which provide the pilot a visual reference for ATCT instructions.

[@Doofer911]

Yep you're correct. I think that Runway Status Lights are only at a limited number of airports at the moment so I didn't include it in this vid.

[@jbreezy101]

Doofer911 16 airports in the USA

[@zahidsayed5564]

i am new to AFL field and i get so much to learn from your video thanks and keep going on with some new videos

[@kylehill3643]

Thanks for explaining this and the extra comments that give further info about lights are helpful too and I'm glad there isn't naughty (beep) comments going on.

[@Doofer911]

I'm glad you liked the video, thanks for watching. I'm very fortunate that the people who watch this are generally mature :)

[@brendanwilliams7291]

Great video, must always ensure the runway lighting is working, what would happen if the lights don’t work?

[@noneNone-mw1px]

Great job. Thank you for time to prepare this tutorial

[@resche7566]

It would help to say that the yellow edge lights form the end of the runway in case it is ILS capable they are located in the last 2000ft of the runway, the alternating white and red start in the last 3000ft and then in the last 1000ft are the red lights. So in conclusion the yellow edge lights are in the last 2000ft, red-white in the last 3000ft-1000ft and the red lights last 1000ft, these are interview questions!!

[@craigaverdung7805]

Outstanding presentation!

[@leopard6554]

Very very nice video. You are awesome doofer911.

[@nicolasqui4654]

4:24 these taxiway centerline lights are green and yellow up to the end of ILS/MLS sensitive area, thereafter the taxiway centerline lights are only green.

[@karimbenabdelghafar415]

Very good job ! Very well explained ! Thank you 😄

[@someflyingguy8043]

Thank you! 100 pages of Jeppesen General in 5 minutes

[@jaxav8r]

It's pretty important to note the exact distance the edge lights change color, as well as the exact distance the centerline lights begin to change color. Not only is that a standard part 121 interview question, but more importantly a good pilot needs to know that info. Very surprised you didn't include that. Unless this video is simply intended for beginner private pilots perhaps?

[@Azurie-e9s]

so the answer is???

[@thomashvnmusic]

Really good tutorials. Thank you so much.

[@Doofer911]

You're welcome, I'm glad you like the videos :)

[@quackythefish5916]

Great video doofer!

[@nicdecaz425]

Fantastic presentation !

[@Doofer911]

Thank you, glad you liked it :)

[@MysteryShack616]

Great video and totally easy to understand! I suggest you make a video about taxiing lights from the the terminal to the active runway

[@Doofer911]

There's not really much to day regarding taxi lights, green lights to mark the taxiway centreline and blue lights to mark the edges, that's about it.

[@KSKJADOON]

Fantastic Quality.

[@Doofer911]

Thanks for your kind comment, glad you liked the video :)

[@kevinduval5751]

Good Clear.. No Nonsense explanation.. Will help with playing Flight Sim for sure ;)

[@Doofer911]

I'm glad! Mission accomplished :)

[@nitinsonwane4070]

You are belongs to which country sir

[@pilotramin8646]

Nice video and very helpful. Thank you for sharing!

[@Doofer911]

I'm glad you liked it :)

[@tumtuber]

Excellent work, thanks!

[@Doofer911]

No problem, thanks for watching!

[@arussian_spy]

I play FSX and try doing it the most realistic way I know the meaning of most but this some of this I didn't. I remember once taking training when I was 7 to fly a Cessna 172 learning most of my knowledge from aviation.

[@Doofer911]

Yeah airport lighting isn't something you need to know about in too much detail unless you plan on adding a night rating to your pilot's licence but I thought this would be good for aviation trivia so when viewers are taking flights at night, they may remember this video and go "Oh yeah, those lights show the edge of the runway!" etc

[@realdilan4ever449]

A runway with a blastpad and a displaced threshold can install alsf-2?

[@samuelbhend2521]

wow that's one enlightening video! thanks:)

[@jakew9887]

Good Video. Thanks

[@1Miguellima]

very well done tutorial

[@trackerdan1]

Great job Doofer, as always and thanks for all your hard work. I really think your graphics are cool, too. I'd was wondering how you did do the runway lights graphics in this video.

[@Doofer911]

All the pics are made in Photoshop and animated in Sony Movie Studio :)

[@yogeshsingla131]

Great complete video. No beating around the bush. No, please like share subscribe. No ads sneakily added in the video. Just pure knowledge. Feels like cheating to get such good quality content. I would happily pay for it. Wish more channels could follow this.

[@t.k.2539]

a very well explained video. I have a question though which actually isnt convered in the video. If any one of u know and answers, i would be really greatful. The length of the overall lights`segment before Threshold is equal to 900 m and decision Bar is placed 300 m before Threshold. Does any now know the reason behind that, why this lenght and why Decisoin bar is placed exactly 300 m beofre THR and not e.g. 400m?

[@gokmen9928]

Very good video.. Thanks.

[@GoldSealFlight]

REIL lights don't appear on runways with ALS light systems.

[@vinithshanbhog196]

Just have one doubt, Are Runway Designation Mark visible during night from distance?

[@johnpauldagahuya6394]

Blast pad have a approach lights?

[@Aviationlifestyle24]

Thanks a lot sir! 👍👍

[@Doofer911]

You're welcome!

[@plzhelpj2316]

so do planes takeoff and land from both ends of the runway? because you seemed to describe one end in terms of approach and end depending on what you were explaining.

[@planeguy737-1]

really depends on the airport but most of the time yes, planes can land and takeoff at both ends of the runway

[@fishereagle]

Hi everyone i have a question what is between RTIL and RTL lights? and It is necessery at night to have a RTIL lights?

[@kylehill3643]

Flight Simulator has those white approach lights that guide to the end/beginning of the runway.

[@shouryakhare4807]

Just saw this video in a Flyco app training module.

[@luccacerminaro8003]

So what color do I use for displaced threshold? Red? 

[@treborhg_9381]

does the runway lights change color in fsx? I never noticed it

[@arthurturcotteseychelles4904]

very good

[@kareemnagy7613]

Thank you sir for your effort.

[@Doofer911]

You're welcome, glad you liked the video :)

[@suviks842]

From which position displaced threshold starts

[@blackhoundSSC]

Thank you very much. Excellent vid. Really well explained. May i ask you where are you from? i'm not a native English speaker and to me you didnt sound with a tradicional US/UK accent. still you sounded very clear to me. Thanks and great job!

[@Doofer911]

Sure, I'm from Scotland :) although I've been told that I have a bit of English/London mixed in there at times as well

[@blackhoundSSC]

Wow, that's surprising. Accents can sometimes be a bit of trouble to us non-native speakers (my main tongue is Spanish), but i found you surprisingly clear. Also, we're taught "Standard English", it's all a topic on its own. So thank you and keep it up!

[@Doofer911]

Yeah, I'm from the Highlands where the Scottish accent isn't as strong as other parts of Scotland :)

[@Gergus]

great video, but do you have a cold?

[@cambodianriverpig7613]

really cool!

[@felipeblue100]

How do i find the distance between each white lights on the edges of the runway?

[@Doofer911]

Probably best to do a quick google search for runway lighting. You should be able to find some resources online which talk about specific measurements.

[@toddyrich118]

200' or 60M

[@evilutionltd]

Bulb suppliers for airports must be making a killing.

[@flybyairplane3528]

Evil from evilution actually those bulbs had a long life, they were'zenon' which extended the life much longer than the ones in the stores, but now they are going to, LED, of which can be quite bright, so normally they, are NOT on full brilliancy, SO in foul weather , a pilot would ask,for MAX brilliancy'

[@rainerzufall689]

@@flybyairplane3528 Any link/source to those "Zenon" lights? Only thing I could find was the greek forename.

[@flybyairplane3528]

Rainer Zufall sorry I do not know, but way back in flying I was told why XENON, was their durability,, all that was PRE LED, so I have no idea what they are actually are using, here in the NE, ALL TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE NOW LEDs, their ONLY FAULT, is LACK OF HEAT, so snow/ice have problems with them, Cheers from NJ

[@SierraDelta-]

Flyby Airplane they cost a million to set up tho at major airports

[@slamdvw]

What is the rotating green / white light for?

[@Fcreceptor]

slamdvw Are you referring to the beacon? It's designed to aid in airport identification from all angles. Some airfields might be hard to see from afar especially when parallel to the runways, but the beacon will rotate white and green thus standing out from other city lights.

[@slamdvw]

Yes, the rotating green / white one was what I was referring to, Always seen them, never knew what they were for. Thanks!

[@FevnorTheWolf]

If i recall correctly the number of colors also identifies the airport type as well. A Military Base will have a different beacon setup than a commercial airport. and i think a Private airport has a different setup aswell. i could be wrong on that last part though.

[@toddyrich118]

2 Whites and Green actually for military. One White one Green Civilian.

[@AljoniMusiCo]

Thanks!!

[@ramongarciano569]

great info

[@MostaShot]

nice video

[@dxmaaa]

Are these lights mandatory?

[@Doofer911]

Not at every single airport. It might on the types of aircraft the airport is looking to handle but you have plenty of airport with grass strips which don't have any lighting systems.

[@CaptainTransit]

I was always convinced as a kid that the runway edge lights illuminated in a sequence that appeared to travel down the line. Guess I was wrong.

[@Doofer911]

I don't remember reading anything about sequenced edge lights but there could be some out there. I just don't remember reading about it in my study for this video.

[@leobottaro]

Good video, just try to get better audio in your future videos: I can hear that you're too close to the mic and using to much gain, so you have to speak quieter to not blow up the audio, to fix your issues: reduce the mic gain, get some distance and speak louder. cheers

[@VilbhinFernando]

What if one of a runway light didn’t work? Will the Pilot land the Aircraft?

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Where have I been all this time???

[@kengunn31]

How does a pilot turn the runway lights on at a dark airfield?

[@Doofer911]

Some airports have a radio system which allows pilots to switch on the lights for a brief period of time. I'm not sure what the system is called but pilots can tune a Com Radio into the system and key their mic, basically press the microphone button momentarily which tells the system to turn on the lights. Pilots generally do this during approach and the lights will remain on for 5-10 minutes, enough time for them to land and taxi to parking.

[@InamUllah-zt7kz]

please explain the cat 1 ,2,3 runways

[@Doofer911]

Already got a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4m5ZqRqhZt-q68

[@DavidBerquist334]

In the USA I hear runways are 150 feet wide minimum and taxi ways 75 feet wide minimum an I right

[@TakeDeadAim]

No

[@МишаШилов-з6ш]

Thank you, this is informative! But can you do subtitles? This can help people from other countries. Because on the Russian KZbin there is no video on this topic.

[@Doofer911]

I don't speak any other languages well enough to translate my scripts I'm afraid.

[@МишаШилов-з6ш]

@@Doofer911 You don’t need to know any languages)) just do it (Subtitres) in English, and KZbin itself will translate for us. :)

[@NarinSoft]

see decision light show air plane is below

[@ericrazackdeco7362]

i want to know a clear difference between displaced threshold and threshold

[@Doofer911]

The Green or Red Runway End Lights mark the very end of the main runway.

[@douglasgraham4065]

Er Deco has

[@breckr1121]

douglas graham great job you leveled up from kindergarten spelling to 1st grade spelling

[@MiaOnline]

At night how do they know that's the L09 runway?

[@tuggyboat]

GPS, ILS, and the Lighting Systems are VERY visible at night, almost blinding. In stormy weather VFR approaches aren't recommended. If ILS is available, which is always should be, the plane will fly itself directly center line of the runway and land it for you.

[@MiaOnline]

Ty :)

[@KnightPilot]

Guida Online yes, as mentioned above, on a clear night you can see both runways from a distance, and land on the left or right runway. Landing lights on the plane can also help you see the painted numbers, but only when very close. In fog, you can use approach guidance to the correct runway. ILS for example will have a different radio beacon frequency for the left or right runway. If you then listen to the frequency, it actually sounds a morse code, and you can cross-check it on you approach chart to ensure you are flying the correct frequency/approach and runway. Also, GPS approaches are becoming more accurate, so now you just choose your runway (9R or 9L) in the flight computer, and it will get you there.

[@tuggyboat]

Pilot177013 In simpler terms, Just literally look either left or right..

[@MiaOnline]

Ty :)

[@elguapomclovin41]

FYI, Single digit runway designations are never preceded by a zero.

[@Doofer911]

They are in the UK.

[@Freezorgium]

Preface this with "in the US" and you'll be correct. In Europe, no.

[@billyb4613]

Good video, but blastpads/overruns/EMAS almost ALWAYS have approach lights built in them...

[@軍曹家]

Awesome

[@jamatg]

Doofer911... In Germany, we call someone/something "doof" if we do not like him/her/it. And a "Doofer" is someone/something that is "doof". By the way, I also think 9/11 is "doof". But due to German grammar it has to be "Doofes911", not "Doofer911" Just for fun fact.

[@chrisdaly8172]

A good visual video, but not fully true for CAA/ EASA standard runway in the UK. If you have a colour coded centre line then you will not have a yellow runway edge light as a distance marker at the end, it’s either one or the other in the UK. Plus the displaced threshold light colours are red for Barrett’s and white for shingles which was not detailed and four rows of TDZ’s for the UK not three nor a flashing strobe approach C/L all FAA, just to confirm......

[@Doofer911]

Who said I was doing a UK-specific runway? :P

[@raptormaster4236]

Yet I play a game called Airport CEO and they never say what papi lights are for and where they should be placed ect

[@Doofer911]

I suspect the game was more focused on gamifying the business aspect of everything rather than going for technical accuracy, meaning they developed it to be a game rather than a simulator.

[@raptormaster4236]

true but yet they still tag it in the simulator part on steam.. so not sure what the clue is about that like but btw can you do a video if you know anything about airport fees and on how they even work?

[@olivergrano9765]

god bless you

[@Doofer911]

That's a very kind comment, thank you :)

[@s0ggyflannel493]

There’s all this stuff to warn the pilot that the end of the runway is near but can’t he just see when it ends

[@Doofer911]

Would be trickier at night or in foggy conditions.

[@wardogies]

You should do a lights of a airplane

[@Doofer911]

Ta Da! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpvMf4GnZ75pkMk

[@tt5850]

Scottish and Australian? Whattt

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Good combo! :D

[@ElementX]

I wanna land on my screen

[@SOPPI_srn]

😍

[@lf-domino7876]

www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/approach_lighting_1-jpg.5787/ If you want to see the different types of the ALS!

[@Doofer911]

Yeah I came across this picture doing the research for this vid! IIRC, that's where I got all the Acronyms for the video

[@kylehill3643]

36 people think that runway lights are for (beep) pilots. They will crash their sports planes.

[@admiralwolf3982]

I always thought they were there just to be there xD

[@Daniel2131-z4h]

You forgot blue lights at the airport.

[@Doofer911]

Blue lights are only found on Taxiways, covered them in this vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bajFfXpqodOsg68

[@douglasgraham4065]

Daniel2131990 of

[@habilhafidz]

ur voice like a ATCs

[@siv2120]

my dumb ass thought he was talking about catwalks for a solid 1 min

[@Doofer911]

So I guess you weren't paying attention when I said "airports" 4 seconds into the video?

[@siv2120]

Doofer911 exactly

[@supertminecraft8675]

1st comment

[@amankarmacharya]

Congratulations you've won $150000000 for your hard work and , dedication and effort.

[@Doofer911]

Can I get a share of that seeing as it happened on my video?! :P

[@vetterburns1048]

I'll ask HR to add a ZERO to yer paycheck!

[@supertminecraft8675]

O_O

[@GrannyTrees]

DISPATCHER FROM CHINA

[@bashkillszombies]

Your audio is terrible dude.

[@Doofer911]

Audio was improved shortly after this video, we all can't start with amazing hardware.

[@jasonpeters9295]

Do you have a cold? Your material is good, but you need to get rid of your stuffy nose, sniffles, then speak a little bit clearer and louder. Get well soon!