A-320 question
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: UAE
A-320 question
Dear all,
The taxi light swt has three positions OFF-TAXI-T/O. Does it mean that the T/O position (both lights On) is to be used for takeoff only and not for landing.
What are the drawbacks if the T/O position is used for landing also. IMHO making approaches into bird infested airports, I would like to have all the lights on.
Regards
The taxi light swt has three positions OFF-TAXI-T/O. Does it mean that the T/O position (both lights On) is to be used for takeoff only and not for landing.
What are the drawbacks if the T/O position is used for landing also. IMHO making approaches into bird infested airports, I would like to have all the lights on.
Regards
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: London
I think the Airbus SOP has the light in “T/O position (both lights On)” for landing.
One drawback in this position is the light will reflect back in our eyes on approach in precipitation or cloud. Having the light in the T/O position in heavy snow can be especially disorientating.
Under these conditions you may want to select the light to the taxi position. Next time you are on approach in cloud/percip., play around and you will see the difference.
One drawback in this position is the light will reflect back in our eyes on approach in precipitation or cloud. Having the light in the T/O position in heavy snow can be especially disorientating.
Under these conditions you may want to select the light to the taxi position. Next time you are on approach in cloud/percip., play around and you will see the difference.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: UAE
Can you tell me where can I lay my hands on the Airbus SOP?
Yes, you are right, in clouds it is better to leave the lights and not the taxi light only, Off to avoid the reflection which you have so rightly pointed out.
However, my query is about fair weather day/night scenarios.
Yes, you are right, in clouds it is better to leave the lights and not the taxi light only, Off to avoid the reflection which you have so rightly pointed out.
However, my query is about fair weather day/night scenarios.
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: London
Sorry, I guess it's my own company's SOP that has us set the nose light to T/O on approach. I don't know where you can get an Airbus SOP.
From my Airbus SOP 3.03.18, ILS Approach: Exterior lights.......set:
set: The nose switch to TAXI
From my Airbus SOP 3.03.18, ILS Approach: Exterior lights.......set:
set: The nose switch to TAXI
Only half a speed-brake
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Commuting not home
I've been told:
Taxi light is tilted downwards.
T/O light points further away.
At flare T/O light points up, and light scatter will severly imapir your visual reference.
Good SOP must not require pilot to ponder about ad-hoc applicability of individual items.
Using T/O light for landings increases filament usage both in time and cycles by 100% incurring unnecessary running costs.
During approach unlike taxi, RWY turnoff, and landing lights, the T/O lt does not provide much extra illumination of the NW strut when viewed from a point on the aircraft trajectory.
Really, what reason is there to use T/O light for approach and landing.
FD (the un-real)
Taxi light is tilted downwards.
T/O light points further away.
At flare T/O light points up, and light scatter will severly imapir your visual reference.
Good SOP must not require pilot to ponder about ad-hoc applicability of individual items.
Using T/O light for landings increases filament usage both in time and cycles by 100% incurring unnecessary running costs.
During approach unlike taxi, RWY turnoff, and landing lights, the T/O lt does not provide much extra illumination of the NW strut when viewed from a point on the aircraft trajectory.
Really, what reason is there to use T/O light for approach and landing.
FD (the un-real)
It's very important to follow the FCOM blindly, and not to use any grey matter whatsoever in the operation of your aircraft. Geez - you might even THINK! 
Joined: Jul 2007
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How to scare birds on take off and landing
Spaz, sorry for the thread creep, but regarding birds, some people say that the weather radar gives them the heebies 
... may I ask if anyone know if there's any truth in it (reference rather than crew room gossip please)
... may I ask if anyone know if there's any truth in it (reference rather than crew room gossip please)
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cheshire
Yep, I've heard many examples of this. Seems unlikely, for most modern WX radar, field strength drops below 10 milliwatts once you get much past 10ft away from the emitter, so you can imagine what you would get at a range of hundreds of feet.
BHDH.
BHDH.
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: france
Agree with Spaz, SOP only pilots are scary but more and more common.
Forget the book, if you need T/O light use it, if not don't. Personally I use it at night for ldg but some don't like it. Everybody's got is own sense of vision comfort, so adapt accordingly.
Forget the book, if you need T/O light use it, if not don't. Personally I use it at night for ldg but some don't like it. Everybody's got is own sense of vision comfort, so adapt accordingly.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: UAE
@FlightDetent
Wish you had given some reference for the info about the light being tilted etc
@Woodywood
Agree with you. I also use the T/O position for Ldg when I am PF. Just wanted to know the opinion of more experienced hands.
Thanks for all your comments
Wish you had given some reference for the info about the light being tilted etc
@Woodywood
Agree with you. I also use the T/O position for Ldg when I am PF. Just wanted to know the opinion of more experienced hands.
Thanks for all your comments
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere
T/O Light on Landing
The use of T/O light for landing is not recommended as on landing (depending on the impact) the filament has a greater probability of shattering than in Taxi position. At least that is what the engineers think.
Weather radar has no affect on bird scaring...........
Weather radar has no affect on bird scaring...........
Only half a speed-brake
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Commuting not home
Binga: Especially as it is a different filament. 
ssh41: FCOM 1.33.20 p2, PFD pitch attitude for approach and flare, light cones observed on other taxiing aircraft.
Most importantly one of my two Airbus factory TRE who pointed out that my previous type and SOP practice to set TO light with the issue of LDG clearance
- was dubious from Human Factors / Error management stand point
- was not in-line with manufacturer's recommandations that were well researched and based on the design of the aircraft
- bird scare input was very disputable and all other effect were only negative
- one day will make me lose vis reference at marginal conditions
Somehow, I decided to THINK and only then tell this 20000 hrs teacher how I hate SOP-only pilots. NOT.
Give it a try, at 5° pitch before touchdown it does very little to illuminate runway. The white patch of light scatter above ground is easily done without. And you more than double the longevity of the light.
ssh41: FCOM 1.33.20 p2, PFD pitch attitude for approach and flare, light cones observed on other taxiing aircraft.
Most importantly one of my two Airbus factory TRE who pointed out that my previous type and SOP practice to set TO light with the issue of LDG clearance
- was dubious from Human Factors / Error management stand point
- was not in-line with manufacturer's recommandations that were well researched and based on the design of the aircraft
- bird scare input was very disputable and all other effect were only negative
- one day will make me lose vis reference at marginal conditions
Somehow, I decided to THINK and only then tell this 20000 hrs teacher how I hate SOP-only pilots. NOT.
Give it a try, at 5° pitch before touchdown it does very little to illuminate runway. The white patch of light scatter above ground is easily done without. And you more than double the longevity of the light.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere
Cheque list....don't have reference for taxi light query. The note re filament is from the engineering department.
With regard to the use of weather radar to deter birds, it is debatable whether there is any real positive effect on bird scaring, however it was mentioned in this CAA article........
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1437/srg_a...-01-030303.pdf
With regard to the use of weather radar to deter birds, it is debatable whether there is any real positive effect on bird scaring, however it was mentioned in this CAA article........
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1437/srg_a...-01-030303.pdf
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Stockholm Sweden
Wish you had given some reference for the info about the light being tilted etc
He was correct. Turning the landing lights on (the ones on the wings) they illuminate the ground beside the fwd pax doors.
So the answer ..Correct. They are meant to. They are landing lights.
