Cabin Lights Dimmed for Landing- Why?

[sinala1]

Originally Posted by ccguy

I'm thinking that not all emergencies end with a gaping hole in a fuselage.

Correct, and thats not what I said or implied in my comment

[overhere]

As others who have studied human factors probably know, there are very limited benefits to either way (lights on or off).

Lights dimmed may offer a minimal increase in night vision - however it takes the human eye approx 20+ mins to gain full night vision and that is in a dark environment - not partially dimmed. The advantages are that it may slightly increase crew AND passenger night vision in an evac & may assist with control on the ground afterwards as passengers & crew will have improved vision - assuming they aren't surrounded by emergency vechiles with bright flashing lights or flames!

Lights on is statistically proven to increase the external visibility of the aircraft to other aircraft in terminal areas and therefore could possibly assist in preventing a mid air or ground collision - however with the high quality radar's now available at primary control zones and TCAS, these benifits are minimal.

Either way, it's not going to make a huge amount of difference, hense why it's not regulated by the FAA, CASA or CAA.

[Rwy in Sight]

How do you define dimming or rather how do you apply it? Do you keep on only the ceiling lights, only the "side" lights none at all and keep on only the seat belt and no smoking signs?

I have the feeling that a random set of light remains on and voila the dimming part is accomplished!


Rwy in Sight

[ShesGreatintheGalley]

on an A320 my favourite setting is Dim2 with the sidewall lights turned off. and for takeoff and landing (evening) all off.. just the aisle left on for night flying services. i like it dark. i think the passengers do to... late at night they just want to sleep... i think its nicer to be dark.. for the view taking off and landing and for those with young kiddies etc

[FA1]

I work for an Australian Airline and we leave it upto the Cabin Crew to decide if they want cabin lights on or off for take off and landing. I usually like to turn them on to wake any sleeping passengers.

Although if I am tired and down the back its a different story. Just kidding.

[Lovebird 25]

Cabin Lights

Cabin lights should be dimmed during night flights, if there is light in the cabin, nothing is visible outside, it’s a safety issue, and it takes several minutes until the vision is adjusted It's done during taxing for take off and for landing, before the gears come down. The galley lights must be completly off but the in the cabin, the window lights are dimmed 2. I guess each Airline has it's procedure.

But if a little girl askes me, I would probably say, "It's done for you, so you can see the city lights though your window."