Landing lights on or off ???

[stellair]

I have heard conflicting opinions on this and as yet am undecided! I'm told at night landing lights on the types such as twins and small turboprops are so close together as to distract the pilots attention during flare by creating a false focal point that can lead to pilots stacking the nose gear in first. I can understand this in fog or snow showers but have never encountered a problem myself during half decent visibillity. Why would manufacturers bother fitting them if they were not necessary? Air traffic must like us to use them for identification purposes. There is no problem landing without them but I was just curious to hear other peoples opinions and various company ideas on this subject.......

[Malcolm G O Payne]

With almost fifty years of flying I have never heard of any problem with landing lights being close together on smaller aircraft. I can only assume that the person who blames this on poor landings is trying to find an excuse for questionable techniques,

[Bugcrusher]

stellair

I have never heard of a pilot opting to land at night with the landing lights off. If your feet are getting wet, check if its raining.

[180 Too Fower]

Ok - Monkeybdg...to answer your question, to have your landing lights on in the day helps you very much to be seen by other aircraft in the air and those on the ground waiting at the hold while...say you are on final approach.
Can't say I have had a problem with landing lights at night

[enginair]

landing lights

i will use the lights on to land at night but have noticed in a baron if you are not warned you tend to fly in to the lights ( ie nose first) , as far as lights on durring the day the only time i will use them are if i aware of traffic otherwise leave them off , why use up candle power that would be more helpfull at night

[PPRuNeUser0215]

as far as lights on durring the day the only time i will use them are if i aware of traffic otherwise leave them off

My view on that is different. If you are not aware of any traffic it is also safe to assume that other traffic are not aware of your presence either. Hence why I would definitely have the lights On regardless of my awareness (or lack of it).
Collision Power V Candle power, I know which one I will try to avoid above all.
Seriously though, LDG lights On is good airmanship

[180 Too Fower]

enginair.....are you an engineer you could have your landing lights on all day and providing you have a good alternator and battery, you won't be using up your "Candle Power" which will be more helpful at night

[Chilli Monster]

Originally Posted by monkeybdg

Is it common practice to have your landing lights on for a day landing? My instructor tellsme toi have them on but I don't quite understand why.

Also, where they're fitted to retractables on the undercarriage, gives ATC a heads up as to whether you've got the gear down or not.