Airbus A320 landing light switch
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airbus A320 landing light switch
A friend of mine took an oral exam for a job in the Middle East a while ago.
There was a guy performin the test who was famous for asking the following:
"Please explain what do the" three small like diamond dots "on the landing light switch mean"
If you answer correctly you can leave the test with 100 immediately.
When he asked we supposed they were designed to have an ergonomic feel that would be unmistakable and easy to locate if you had smoke etc and that they represented each landing gear point (3).
Long story short my friend took the exam with this guy, he didnt ask that question but in the end he asked the examiner why he did'nt. He then asked and after this answer just responded - that's incorrect.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
There was a guy performin the test who was famous for asking the following:
"Please explain what do the" three small like diamond dots "on the landing light switch mean"
If you answer correctly you can leave the test with 100 immediately.
When he asked we supposed they were designed to have an ergonomic feel that would be unmistakable and easy to locate if you had smoke etc and that they represented each landing gear point (3).
Long story short my friend took the exam with this guy, he didnt ask that question but in the end he asked the examiner why he did'nt. He then asked and after this answer just responded - that's incorrect.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: UK
Age: 59
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it because you are effectively doing three things at once on one switch activation ? (3 lights being lowered and put on)
Or is it so that Airbus can charge you a couple of thousand Euros for a switch where a 2 Euro equivalent from radio shack would do the job just as well. ?
Or is it so that Airbus can charge you a couple of thousand Euros for a switch where a 2 Euro equivalent from radio shack would do the job just as well. ?
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northampton
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Or is it so that Airbus can charge you a couple of thousand Euros for a switch where a 2 Euro equivalent from radio shack would do the job just as well. ?
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Around the world.
Age: 42
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm intrigued, who actually cares; and beyond that how the hell does that test your ability to operate as a pilot.
I've flown with nob-end trainers who learn an unknown fact about the aircraft and use that to prove they know more than you; while missing the basic (thorough) knowledge a good trainer will know... kind of a way to cover their inadequacies.
I've flown with nob-end trainers who learn an unknown fact about the aircraft and use that to prove they know more than you; while missing the basic (thorough) knowledge a good trainer will know... kind of a way to cover their inadequacies.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Switzerland, Singapore
Posts: 1,309
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The three diamond are a symbol for the lights, so I guess. When you look at an aircraft arriving, you always see these three lights. The same applies for gear handles that look like wheel tyres or like the flap handle that looks like a flap.
Additionally, the "diamonds" are fluorescent and still shine in complete darkness.
Or was that in another aircraft?
Dani
Additionally, the "diamonds" are fluorescent and still shine in complete darkness.
Or was that in another aircraft?
Dani
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Sin City
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've flown with nob-end trainers who learn an unknown fact about the aircraft and use that to prove they know more than you; while missing the basic (thorough) knowledge a good trainer will know... kind of a way to cover their inadequacies.
Have came across such losers as well, from an engineering point of view They state one unknown and not so important fact to built up the mystery that they know the a/c inside out. But seriously, isn't it 2 lights that are activated when you switch on the landing lights.
The only reason i can think off is to give pilots a tactile way to locate the switch if the cockpit is filled with smoke, as you mentioned. Or it could be something brought over from the maritime sector like many things in the aviation sector.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Gone to my "Happy Place".
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recall from somewhere - but can't remember exactly - that the dots indicate that the specific switch is a "3 Position Switch."
All others LIGHT SWITCHES are simply on / off.
Edited. We're talking about light switches normally used on the overhead panel which do something MORE than simply turning a light on (ie: Extension / Retraction). Also, not switches that include any type of guard or are otherwise protected from movement except in unusual circumstances.
All others LIGHT SWITCHES are simply on / off.
Edited. We're talking about light switches normally used on the overhead panel which do something MORE than simply turning a light on (ie: Extension / Retraction). Also, not switches that include any type of guard or are otherwise protected from movement except in unusual circumstances.
Last edited by Jimmy Do Little; 5th Aug 2009 at 11:06. Reason: Assumed the obvious, but need to clarify.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Stockholm Sweden
Age: 74
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But seriously, isn't it 2 lights that are activated when you switch on the landing lights.
On A320 there are two landing lights mounted one each side at the inner end of the lower wing. They have a switch each. It is a three posn switch, first detent for extend, second for ON.
There is also one switch for the two lights on the nose gear. First position taxi light, second position take off light.
There is lastly one switch for the two runway turn off lights.
Total two landing lights, one take off light, one taxy light, and two runway turnoff lights.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South of N90º00'.0
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm.
Landing Gear handle looks like a landing gear handle,
Flap lever looks like a flap lever,
Landing Light switch, looks like most any other landing light switch.
Who really cares why? Aren't there more important things to worry about?
Landing Gear handle looks like a landing gear handle,
Flap lever looks like a flap lever,
Landing Light switch, looks like most any other landing light switch.
Who really cares why? Aren't there more important things to worry about?
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: Formerly of Nam
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please explain what do the" three small like diamond dots "on the landing light switch mean
If you answer correctly you can leave the test with 100 immediately.
If you answer correctly you can leave the test with 100 immediately.
Why not a more practical one....
Q. Whats the number of fan blades fitted on the left engine?
A. Dunno. But I can tell you if any are missing!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: uk
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jokes aside, I feel that if asked at exam then the only reason must be that the examiner is just trying to show off how much more than you he knows, and if he is willing to let you off the rest of the exam if you know the answer then he is unprofessional and derelict in his duty as a TRE as well.
Either this is an urban myth within your airline or the examiner is a c*ck.
Either this is an urban myth within your airline or the examiner is a c*ck.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: aussie land
Age: 35
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The same applies for gear handles that look like wheel tyres or like the flap handle that looks like a flap.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you mean airline pilots will have difficulty is distinguishing the correct handles and levers without these visual queues? LOL!
That's the lesson from past incidents, like people retracting the flaps immediately after rotation, leaving the L/G down instead (ideal for a stall), or a Super Puma's pilot engaging the nosewheel lock instead of the park brake, with subsequent rather messy taxiing.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you mean airline pilots will have difficulty is distinguishing the correct handles and levers without these visual queues? LOL!
Imbecile.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: aussie land
Age: 35
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, but the more different from each other the various controls look and feel, the fewer the chances are for the pilot to mix them up (and if the handles resemble what they actually control it's even more intuitive).
That's the lesson from past incidents, like people retracting the flaps immediately after rotation, leaving the L/G down instead (ideal for a stall), or a Super Puma's pilot engaging the nosewheel lock instead of the park brake, with subsequent rather messy taxiing.
That's the lesson from past incidents, like people retracting the flaps immediately after rotation, leaving the L/G down instead (ideal for a stall), or a Super Puma's pilot engaging the nosewheel lock instead of the park brake, with subsequent rather messy taxiing.
And as for Tolan's outburst and name calling, maybe it's you who needs to grow up? Amazing how some people can get so agitated over nothing. You must be a delight to fly with, not!