REIL is the abbreviation for The lights of Runway End Identification. Therefore, if a plane would take the runway in its end direction, anyone in the cockpit could see that the runway emits red light. Such signals are red and green lights, going in two directions that indicate runway beginning and its end simultaneously. Completely another lighting system, on its part, is called Threshold End Lights. Such signals of unidirectional type are usually put at the beginning of the part of a runway landing threshold where touchdown of the plane can be done as steady burning white lights. Green is the color for the runway threshold lights, which function as touchdown zone lights. Image source: What color are airport threshold lights? However, at smaller airports, simple systems of about 15 to 17 white approach lights are installed. If you are about to land at one of the world’s biggest airports, the chances are that besides runway centerline lighting, you will notice the approach lights of different colors – namely, red, white, and yellow lights. They are called ‘approach lights’ as they form an approach lighting system and are designated to show in which direction the runway begins. The first lights for anyone controlling the aircraft to notice when landing are the ones located directly prior to the runway. The lights of Runway End IdentificationĮach of them has its own meaning, function, and color.In practice, there are nine main types, namely: We are also about to tell you everything you would want to know about different elements of the runway lighting system – and what every kind of runway light means. This time, we will explain how airport runway lights are helping to take off or land the aircraft safely. It is also not difficult to notice that there are different types of such airport lighting system elements.Įvery one of them, runway edge/ centerline lights, is designated to provide the pilot controlling the plane with crucial navigational information.

Virtually every one such system you’ll see during your travels will be not much different from any other operating at the most commercial airports in the world exactly because of the fact that it should be ICAO compliant. Runway lighting is one of the most crucial parts of the whole airport lighting structure, so it must be fully operational at all times and fully compatible with The International Civil Aviation Organization standards. Every light is a part of a sophisticated runway lighting system As well as that the runway lights are an indispensable help for anyone in charge of an aircraft in low visibility conditions. Yet, it is obvious that such a purpose is related to air traffic control. Most of the passengers who are completely unrelated to aviation often speculate about the purpose of these lights. This international consistency enhances the safety of our commercial airline industry, which transports nearly 1.5 billion people annually around the world.Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine a modern airport without one of its most notable attributes: the runway lights. Heathrow, JFK, Hong Kong-the color, placement, and configuration of runway lights are universal at all airports. These lights are typically used in conjunction with approach light systems, which extend beyond the runway ends, providing a visual queue for the pilots to line-up the aircraft during approach. Recessed in-pavement runway lights, also white in color, are common at most large airports to provide enhanced runway visibility.The departure end is marked by red lights delineating the end of operational pavement.The ends, or thresholds, of the runways have green lights at the “beginning” of the runway, or approach end.Runway edge lights are white, transitioning to amber near the departure end of the runway.Taxiway edge lights are always blue and, in some cases, are accompanied by green recessed, in-pavement centerline lights for enhanced visibility during inclement weather.In reality, all lights on an airfield are essential to the safe and efficient aircraft operations during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. “Hopefully the two people piloting the plane,” I joked. “Who knows what all those lights are for?” he asked. The gentleman next to me appeared mesmerized by the collage of lights on the airfield. During an evening return flight from New York City to Portland, Maine, I gazed out the side window of the aircraft as we taxied to the end of one of JFK’s runways for takeoff.

Simairport runway lights