Dim the lights

[InFrequent Flyer]

Always wondered why the cabin lights are dimmed on take off and landing during twilight/darkness.

Anyone know?

[SLF]

I was told it was in case you need to evacuate, you have better night vision.

I prefer it as you can see out of the window better!

[PAXboy]

I have also been told that bright lights shining out of the cabin windows could mask the navigation lights.

When viewed from the side, there is one coloured light on the wingtip that might have 50 white window panels behind it.

I was interested to note a difference between the dimming of lights when comparing EZY on LTN - EDI and BD on LHR - EDI.

EZY seem to dim the lights earlier in the evening that BD. With BD a couple of weeks ago, it was well into dusk and they did not dim the lights.

Also, EZY make of point of saying that it is "Civil Aviation Authority regulations".

[Cart_tart]

In australia it's regulation that all cabin lights are illuminated below 1000ft.
So we have to have ours on.
Wonder why it's different over there?

[GalleyWench]

Infrequent, At my carrier it is policy to dim the cabin lighting between dusk and dawn, and to turn off entryway lights. The rationale is that your (and our) eyes will be able to adjust to the outside light that much faster. This could make a difference in an evac between seeing if a slide is inflated and/or debris is in the way in the first few crucial seconds of an evac.

[StressFree]

Oh Dear, this is the first (and last) time I've ever visited this forum, in future I'll stay up the front................

:eek:

[davidbwa]

Dimming the lights is a CAA requirement, and apears in ops manuals. It helps with adjusting to night vision, and also makes the floor level and evacuation lights more visable during an evacuation. Also, according to a fire fighter I spoke to, it makes it easier to spot fire in the cabin, and also fire outside when deciding whether to use an exit. We generally keep them dimmed throughout night flights as most people sleep. Once was told on a BA flight many years ago that it was a courtesy to those living around the airport, because a few cabin lights are going to wake people up, rather than a couple of Pratt and Whitneys at full throttle!!

[Super Stall]

Apparently, in the event of an unscheduled departure from the runway during take off/landing, one of the biggest causes of panic in the cabin (like anyone needs another reason) is being suddenly plunged into darkness.

Thats wot I woz told anyway :eek:

[Tuba Mirum]

No problem, Stress Free. We are perfectly happy back here. We've paid for our seats, and will send a FA if we need your advice. :)

[ExSimGuy]

I think the Flight Attendants forgot Stress-Free's quarter-hourly coffe and sandwich :rolleyes:

Did you know that most pilots die within days or weeks of retirement? It's 'cos they starve to death with nobody too feed them any more :eek:

[Cart_tart]

Which regionals would do that? Not mine!! It's a CASA regulation that "all cabin lighting must be illuminated below 1000ft" Don't have my manual handy so can't give you the regulation number. So if some regionals are dimming the cabin lights until just before shutdown they're being very very naughty & I'm sure will end up with a smack on the bottom from the regulatory authority!

[dingducky]

i believe they dim the lights to make the hosties look better :p

[Do28]

We turn our cabin lights up for take off and landing. Since we have not flight attendants, we are trying to increase the odds that the pax can evacuate themselves in the event of an untimely demise of the flightcrew(remember, we sit in the lawn dart section). At night, it has the added benefit of waking up the pax so they don't sleep through thier stop.