Components and Characteristics of the Instrument Landing System (ILS)
T-45A UJPT & E2-C2 INav-04
III. Visual Information System
Fig 4: Instrument
Runway Lighting
*
Approach lights
*
Runway centerline lights
*
Touchdown zone lights
*
Runway lights
A. Approach Lighting System (ALS)
1.
Provides main visual system used to transition from instrument
flight to visual flight for landing
2.
Precision approaches, such as the ILS approach, require the
configuration of the ALS to start at the landing threshold and to
extend into the approach area for a distance of 2,400 to 3,000 ft
3.
Non-precision approach runway lights would only run 1,400 to
1,500 ft from runway threshold
4.
Some ALS use sequenced lights running toward the runway at high
speed (twice a second). These lights are Runway Alignment
Indicator Lights (RAILs), more commonly referred to as "rabbit
lights"
5.
When ALS is in operation, the approach minimums may be
increased.
NOTE: The example of approach lighting systems provided in this
lesson is not unique. Examples of each configuration and publication
identification code can be found in the Flight Information Handbook.
Additionally, the code identifying the type of ALS for an approach to a
given runway is provided on the bottom right corner of the instrument
approach plate in the airfield layout box.
B. Runway Centerline Lights & Touchdown Zone Lights
1.
Runway Centerline Lights (RCLs) and Touchdown Zone Lights
(TDZLs) are a category of lighting known as "In-runway lights"
2.
Runway Centerline Lights (RCLs)
a.
Inset flush into the runway
b.
Spaced at 50 ft intervals
c.
White until the last 3,000 ft of runway. From 3,000 ft to 1,000 ft
from end of runway, the lights alternate red and white. The last
1,000 ft, they are all red
(6-99) Original
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