Use of Position and Strobes

[PPRuNe Radar]

I tell you what, lets put are lights on every time we drive are cars!

Buy a SAAB or Volvo and it happens without any intervention

[Clandestino]

Where I fly, navlights are turned on even during daytime to show that someone - be it flightcrew or mechanic - is onboard the aircraft.

[None]

Ops Manual determines light useage

Regardless of what I think about using the position lights during daylight ops, I am required to comply with our FAA approved Ops manual. I suspect all US airlines have the same requirement as my company. Here is a copy & paste of the page in our Ops Manual:

Exterior Lights Usage:

Exterior lights should be used in accordance with the following guidance, and consistent with specific aircraft equipment, limitations, and procedures.

Phase of Flight Lights Usage:

Aircraft is powered - Navigation/Position lights

Engines running/aircraft moving:

Anti-collision lights (Beacons)
• On immediately prior to aircraft movement, or
immediately prior to engine start (if starting at gate).

Taxiing:

Taxi light
• On when moving or intending to move; off when
stopped.

Crossing a runway:

All exterior lights
• Avoid using landing lights if they will adversely affect
the vision of other pilots.

Position and hold:

All exterior lights (except landing lights)
• Avoid using strobes if they will adversely affect the
vision of other pilots.

Takeoff:

All exterior lights
• Turning on the landing lights is a signal that the
aircraft is commencing takeoff roll.

In flight (below 18,000 feet):

All exterior lights
• Conditions permitting, all exterior lights are normally
on.

[JJflyer]

Most countries in Northern Europe require to have car headlights on when outside densely populated areas, depicted by as sign so you know when you are entering or leaving one. Most just leave lights on all the time. So I must agree I have changed some 2 or 3 bulbs in 15 years or so.

Regarding aircraft lights. NAV's are left on all the time day and night. Wing and wheel well lights for external inspection and strobes when entering a runway. These are SOP items. Logo light is not an SOP item, but if the aircraft is equipped with one I use it as it improves visibility.

JJ

[t6 sparky]

Most authorities require the Flight Data Recorder to be on prior to engine start. To the best of my knowledge, all Boeings and most Bombardier aircraft do this by slaving the FDR ON to both of the Strobe lights

I'm sorry but your knowledge is incorrect. I don't know about Bombardier aircraft but on boeings the FDR is turned on by either air/ground sensing, engines starting or running, or for testing purposes. Strobe light (white lights)or indeed Anti-collision (red lights) switching has no input whatsoever into FDR.

[ICT_SLB]

That may be true for older Boeings (the BAC 1-11 had a basic "FDR ON" switch on some models). The WoffW function is the back-up path for the 767 at least (or it was when I was in 40-01 Building at Everett). It's only turns the FDR on if the crew haven't carried out the checklist item.

Don't confuse the ON discrete and/or power switching with the Record Inhibit discrete that has to be much more complex now that straight forward g-switches are not allowed to shut off recording. Comes from some incidents where aircraft continues flying for some time after a hard landing/ground impact and then goes down but with no FDR recording.

[Old Smokey]

Loop... Hole,
My quote............

If, on approach, I see an aircraft at the holding point with strobe lights ON, I have only one reaction - Go Around!

Your quote..........

I have therefore been at the hold with white flashing and no-one's gone around on me yet. Is it only a matter of time?

Yes, I think that it's only a matter of time. It's pretty much universal in the 2 airlines that I've worked for.

If I get a clearance "After the landing XX line up and wait behind", it's hands OFF the Strobes, Landing Lights etc. until the landing aircraft has passed our position at the hold. Then it's turn everything ON, get on the runway, and wait your Takeoff clearance.

Regards,

Old Smokey