Aircraft Lighting whilest Taxing

[Ozgrade3]

Just curious as to the external lighting policies of various airlines whilest taxiing at night.

Are Logo lights thats are blown, fixed at the end of each days fling or often held over till when ever. Many airports around oz are turned into construction sites at night, mostly for the new Airbus works, so there are huges amounts of trucks, diggers etc etc descending on the airport. recently I have noticed more and more aircraft with unlit tails.

With the mariad of works lights, orange beacons on cars trucks, plant and equipment, a/c strobes, landing lights, tower beacons and god knows what else, an aircraft taxxing in front of, especially at right angles to you, if it has the cabin lights dimmed, and no logo lights can litterly dissapear in front of you in all the light clutter.

747's are the easiest to see with landing lights on as they light up the sde of the foward fuselage. same with older 73's.

Ice lights are really good too, as is a row of bright cabin lights.

YSSY from about 9pm till curfew gets real busy with works equipment, from 10:30 pm particularly so.

Keep a good lookout and get every external light you have on.

[iceblock]

Ok, but I'll have to go out and get a new 9v for the dolphin torch. I have had that strapped onto the nose wheel while I wait for the taxi light to be fixed, but I don't like using it too often as it flattens the battery.

[Mr.Buzzy]

Sounds like jolly good advice OZGRADE3. Your airmanship is impeccable. Ill be sure to illuminate my plane at night now.

I also think that sliding the flightdeck window open and calling "CLEAR NUMBER 4" just prior to starting engines on the 747 would also be sound airmanship.

Remember to tie the controls of the 767 with the seatbelt too!

Oh and always use a finepoint pen when filling in the tacho times on the MR of the 737, that pesky gloss paper really causes ink to smudge!

bbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Ozgrade3]

Mr Buzzy, does ur mum know ur on the internet again. This site is for grownsups

[Continental-520]

Well, perhaps I'm simple, but it amused me.

Of course, Mr.Buzzy, whilst you make some good points, you forgot one of the most important: never forget to tie down your 737/747/767 etc when parked. It could blow away, especially this time of year if you're up the northern parts during the cyclone season.

Oh, and remember to clean the oil off the gear doors for the next guy, it looks a LOT more presentable. :ok:

Um, now for something completely different...

Does anyone know what the QF B738 is doing down the east end nosed into the hangar at DN? Has been there for a few days.

Who'd be doing the maintenance (if that's what it's there for)...what could be the problem that is taking so long?

Just curious. Though it may have been the next addition to the museum down there, until I noticed it was a NG.

520.

[Mr.Buzzy]

This site is for grownsups

This child is teaching future Aussie pilots. Heaven help us!

bbbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzbbbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzz

[HI'er]

there are huges amounts of trucks, diggers etc etc descending on the airport.Now we know what those UFO's are!...trucks, diggers etc etc

[On eyre]

And speaking of securing controls etc, do the majors actually ensure that their myriad of aircraft on the bays each night have the required padlocked control or throttle or wheel locks fitted that we poor mortals in GA are compelled to fit by those DOTARS idiots, even when parked at "secure" capital city airports.
Off topic I know but security is really a farce. Unless, of course, the old "perception is reality" trick applies.

[Dookie on Drums]

I'd be more concerned about how often Ozgrade 3 frequents Burger King:}

[Bentleigh]

On eyre

The only large aircraft I have flown which had a key was the L-1011, and that was a key to the flight deck door. Oops, no, the B747 has a key to the crew rest area.

The L1011, B727's, B737's, DC-10's and B747's I have flown havent had a key to start them, but then they all have needed a push-back vehicle.................I resisted the urge to say that they needed a tug!

Its only when I get out to Oz and do a bit of light aircraft flying that I have to fit a lock to the wheels.

Oh, and OzGrade3, the logo lights are not necessary, and can be deferred for 120 days in my outfit, partially because they are not necessarily easily reached on a large aircraft, and are not deemed necessary by the manufacturer.

The best thing you can do is taxy at a safe speed.

[iceblock]

Once you have had a jets landing lights in your face you will be abusing the guy for not turning them off and you won't be seeing much for a while anyway.

But on a serious note OZGrade3 I would be happy to go outside my companies SOP's for you provided you give me a note authorising it.