# Key Takeaways - Night airport operations require a thorough understanding of lights and their meanings. - Proper planning will help identify the airport while inbound, then use the runway and taxiways effectively. > [!tip] > The best images for these Jack could find are in the [[AOPA]] [runway safety slides](https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/runwaysafetyflashcard/index.php#/p/60), starting at roughly slide 60. # Details ## Airport Lights ### Approach Lighting Systems ([[ALS]]) > [!quote] From [[AIM 2]]-1-1 > ALS provide the basic means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing. > [!tip] Examples can be found in the [[TPP]] and [[AIM 2]] > See [TPP supplemental page 18](https://www.1800wxbrief.com/Website/aip/tpp/FRNTMATTER.pdf#page=18) in particular. ### Visual Glideslope Indicators ([[VGSI]]) - [[VASI]] - [[PAPI]] - Tri-color ### Runway Area - [[REIL]] - Runway edge lights, including threshold lights - Runway Centerline, Touchdown Zone Lights, Taxiway Centerline Lead-Off/On, [[LAHSO]] lights ### Taxiway - Taxiway Edge Lights - Taxiway Centerline Lights - Clearance Bar, Runway Guard, Stop Bar Lights ### Beacons | Light Sequence | Meaning | | ------------------------ | ----------------------- | | <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:lightgreen;">Green</span> | Lighted land airport | | <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:lightgreen;">Green</span> | Lighted land (military) | | <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> / <span style="background-color:Yellow;">Yellow</span> | Lighted water airport | | <span style="background-color:lightgreen;">Green</span> / <span style="background-color:Yellow;">Yellow</span> / <span style="background-color:whitesmoke;">White</span> | Lighted heliport | ### Obstacles - Berms - Wind farms ## Pilot-Controlled Lighting ([[PCL]]) - Pilot-controlled lighting and how to operate - 15 minute duration - Key mike intended number of times within 5 seconds > [!tip] > It is possible for a tower-controlled light system to be turned off, even with pilots inbound. > > If you can't find a towered airport at night, you may need to ask for the lights to be turned on. ## Which Lights Are Available This is good to brief as part of [[All Available Information Concerning That Flight]]. Consider questions like: - Which side of the runway is the VASI? - Is the windsock lighted? - Are there any obstacles on final to be careful of? # Additional Resources - [[AIM 2]] - [[PHAK Ch14]] - [[AC 70-7460-1]] - [Runway Lights Explained | Colors, Spacing, Types](https://pilotinstitute.com/runway-lights-explained-colors-spacing-types/) from [[Pilot Institute]] #concept