cabin lights dimmed

[ei-bos]

something i've always wondered! why are the cabin lights dimmed for landing???!!! tanx

[captain cumulonimbus]

its so that passengers' night vision (tranfer of light sensing from rods to cones on the retina) can adapt before touchdown,so that if you have a less than perfect landing,and require evacuation into the dark night,your eyes will not be shocked to be outside since the cabin was already dark,allowing them to be pre-adapted.

Not sure this is an agony aunt question though...

[USER0005]

Thats the answer I'd have given too.

But what worries me is that when the cabin lights are dimmed 50% of the passengers put on their reading lights, which surely defeats the object.

Wouldn't it be better to disable the reading lights for landing at the same time?

[Double Echo]

Why would it be dark upon a crash landing? I would have thought the resulting explosion and fire would light up the entire countryside!!!!

[jet2impress]

If evacuation after landing is required. The engines will be shut down prior to the evacuation starting. Once the engines have been shut down and the APU is not running to provide electrical power, the cabin will be plunged into dakness. The emgency lighting system will then be activated which will guide you to your escape route.

[eal401]

I would have thought the resulting explosion and fire would light up the entire countryside!!!!

In that case, there wouldn't be any point worrying about people's night vision!

[BOAC]

ei-bos: if you want to read more about it, use 'Search' for 'Dimming'

[judge11]

An interesting one. As one contributor has pointed out, the glare from overhead reading lights would put pay to any preservation of night vision a pax might have. I have never seen any written (CAA or otherwise) regulation requiring the dimming of lights - perhaps another of life's mysteries and here's another one: why do you have to tie the life-jacket tapes in a double bow on the LEFT. WHy the left?

[BOAC]

Judge - the use of reading lights only still leaves the cabin much darker than full lighting. QED

I know the 'doublebow on the left' is certainly the BA brief, and it was done to enable sufficient 'spare' tape to allow survivors to be tied to whatever if appropriate - symmetrical tying does not leave enough spare. I don't know if any other airlines use it. It may appear 'comical' but there might be times when it would be a good idea?

[mad_jock]

I was told in my wet drills that the bow on the left was because the toggle was on the right. So if they were both on the same side there is a chance that when you go to inflate it, that you undo the tape instead of firing the the co2 in the heat of the moment. And the tape length is desined for this.

NOw the next thing that i have thought about is that if the person requires a seat belt extension. Is there enough tape to go twice round?


MJ

[Farrell]

Why do pilots say

"We are now making our final approach"?

Did they make other approaches that they didn't tell you about?

----------------------------------------------------

What does it mean to 'pre-board'? Do you get on before you get on?

---------------------------------------------------------

How come when you stand in the middle of a library and go 'aaaaggh' everyone just stares at you? But if you do the same thing on an aeroplane, everyone joins in?

---------------------------------------------------------

[Jamesie]

Lights on takeoff/landing query

Can anyone tell me why cabin lights are dimmed for takeoff/landing in the hours of darkness?

[Gary Lager]

i) in case of evacuation - pax night vision when proceeding outside the aircraft is improved.

ii) if flight deck door is opened inadvertently, forward (night) vision of flight crew is preserved.

[261A]

Why are the 'flaps' on the windows INSIDE the aircraft open on take off and landing?
All cabin crew say they have to be open for take off and landing.

[BOAC]

So you can see the flames and run the other way?

PS They are called 'window blinds'. The flaps are on the wing.

[stressedman]

Why is it that when you arrive at the airport you see the words "Terminal"!!!!!!!!!!

[faultygoods]

stressedman

its because after reading all these stupid questions you feel like shooting yourself, aaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggggg

[Gaz ED]

Question

Why, on a night landing, do the cabin lights get dimmed?

[Old Smokey]

So that the cabin crew or other surviving passengers, may see more clearly the safest escape route,after a landing accident requiring evacuation.

Vision is much better from dark to light, than light to dark.

Regards,

Old Smokey

[sf25]

what i always wanted to know: why are cabin lihts dimmed/turned off during t/o and ldg. i was naive enough to think it is done to make the pax have a nicer view at night but recently cabin crew said they dimm the lights according to some regulations. so it seems to be compulsory.
any help? thanx in advance