Airbus A320 landing light switch

[longago9]

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!

[SimJock]

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. ?

[rogerg]

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. ?

That is the same for any aircraft manufacturer. Maybe the same switch, but different warranty etc.

[aristoclis]

Is it because you are effectively doing three things at once on one switch activation ? (3 lights being lowered and put on)

Isn't it 2 lights being lowered and put on?

[tom775257]

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.

[Dani]

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

[Tree]

3 position switch?

[leewan]

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.

LOL 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.

[Jimmy Do Little]

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.

[Gary Lager]

Except the NAV/POSN switch. And the emer exit light switch. And the No smoking signs switch. And the EFIS VOR/ADF selector. And the Nosewheel light switch. Um....

[Swedish Steve]

But seriously, isn't it 2 lights that are activated when you switch on the landing lights.

Something not right here.

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.

[PappyJ]

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?

[powerstall]

Take a normal switch. Put on some designs and rough edges... Voila!!! you have just made a £100 profit! on a £2 run of the mill, ordinary switch!

[Slasher]

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.

What a silley bloodey question to be posed at an interview! Did another w@nker asked what type of tree was pulped to make the Jepp approach plates?

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!

[powerstall]

Are you sure that the interviewer has some background in Aviation?

[Gary Lager]

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.

[JulieFlyGal]

The same applies for gear handles that look like wheel tyres or like the flap handle that looks like a flap.

Do you mean airline pilots will have difficulty is distinguishing the correct handles and levers without these visual queues? LOL!

[Deeday]

Do you mean airline pilots will have difficulty is distinguishing the correct handles and levers without these visual queues? LOL!

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.

[Tolan]

Do you mean airline pilots will have difficulty is distinguishing the correct handles and levers without these visual queues? LOL!

What is so "LOL" about having obvious visual and tactile queues? Have you ever been in a Jet airliner flight deck? Obviously not. Apparently, you have never been a sim when it fills smoke, you're wearing an oxygen facemask and can barely see a foot infront of you. When you do grow up and get to the stage of your career where this is the case, you will understand and appreciate the different feeling major switches, knobs and levers have. You won't switch off the anti-skid instead of lowering the landing gear, lower the speed instead of turning left, or in relation to the thread subject, won't switch the nav light system instead of switching on the landing lights.

Imbecile.

[JulieFlyGal]

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.

Thanks for your explanation Deeday ..I understand now.

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!