Night Field Lighting

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

T-34C CONTACT

BRIGHT before starting. After start, continue to dim the INST POST lights and LEDs as your

eyes become adjusted to the darkness. When the pilot is ready for the start, he will signal the

lineman by rotating the flashlight at the lineman or if ambient light permits, use appropriate hand

signals for clearance to start. The lineman will repeat the signal with his wand or appropriate

hand signal and will man the fire extinguisher for the start.

Upon completion of the start, signal the lineman to remove the chocks by moving the flashlight

alternately from shoulder to shoulder and hold the brakes while the chocks are removed. The

lineman will taxi the aircraft out of the chocks for a normal brake check using his wands.

NOTE

In the line area, where adequate light is available, hand signals may be

used as in daylight operations. However, when lighting is not

adequate, hand signals must be passed as light signals (see NATOPS

for ground handling signals).

1404. TAXI

The Pre-taxi Checklist shall be completed and clearance from Ground Control received prior to

taxi in accordance with NATOPS and local SOP. All taxiing will be conducted in accordance

with current course rules. Caution must be exercised to prevent excessive taxi speeds caused by

lack of outside references and depth perception. Landing lights should be used during all night

taxi evolutions in areas not adequately illuminated. Consideration will be given to courteous use

of lights to avoid the disorientation of other aircraft, ground support, and tower personnel. Taxi

is only permitted on lighted, authorized taxiways (see SOP). If there is any doubt as to your

position on the field or any confusion caused by light signals, STOP! Do not continue until

reoriented. Turn landing lights off while conducting Pre-taxi and Runup Checklists or if a delay

is encountered at the hold short line awaiting takeoff.

1405. NIGHT FIELD LIGHTING

BLUE LIGHTS: Blue lights mark all taxiways. There should be blue lights on both sides

of the taxiway.

WHITE LIGHTS: White lights mark the boundaries of the duty runway.

GREEN LIGHTS: Green lights mark the threshold of the duty runway.

RED LIGHTS: Red lights mark all obstructions on the airfield.

ROTATING BEACON: There is a rotating white and green beacon located at fields that

are open for night operations. A military airfield's white light will be split by a three degree

void. This will give the impression that there are two separate, closely timed flashes of light. A

civilian airport has a solid white light and can be easily distinguished from a military field.

14-2 NIGHT GROUND PROCEDURES