A320 landing lights... loud rumble

[aa73]

Question-

Is it mandatory at all A320 operators to use these lights at all times below 10,000ft or is it optional? These would be the landing lights that extend/retract from below the wing roots.

As a passenger sitting over the wing, these lights produce quite a bit of noise and vibration when extended.

On our MD80s at AA, the wing landing lights, when extended, also produce a slight vibration. As such, many pilots turn them off when retracting the slats (the slats extended tend to mask the vibration.) Is there a similar option on the A320 or do airlines require them on at all times below 10,000ft despite the vibrations?

As AA is set to receive their first A319 next summer, I'm curious to know whether we will adopt the "industry standard" with regards to these lights and if not, what he technique is with most Airbus operators.

Thanks,
73

[de facto]

As a passenger sitting over the wing, these lights produce quite a bit of noise and vibration when extended.

One of those idiots again tonight taxiing with the landing lights ON,right into my face...
To the SPRING Airlines captain,here is what I have to say: you!

[B-HKD]

As AA is set to receive their first A319 next summer, I'm curious to know whether we will adopt the "industry standard" with regards to these lights and if not, what he technique is with most Airbus operators.

BA and a handful of other major european operators have adopted the SOP of putting them down and on with the gear down call.

[aa73]

Thanks all,

United, Delta, Jetblue, USAirways all have SOP stating - Landing Lights On at all times below 10,000ft. Which makes a heck of a rattle in the cabin at 250kts. At night I can see how it probably makes sense, so as to be seen, but during bright daylight?

I like the "Gear Down, Lights On" BA SOP.

Knowing AA, they will probably make the landing lights Captain's discretion (which is how it is on all our fleets.)

[Colocolo]

DeFacto:

you must be flying in the Middle Kingdom

[Dan Winterland]

On below 10,000ft is our SOP. But it also says if the noise is excessive, then retract them. So I use a limit of 250kt, which is also the limit set by some airlines as they are obviously stressed. They do blow off sometimes, usually punching a hole in the belly fairings as they go.

[contractpilot69]

Why didn't Airbus put fixed landing lights on the 320?

[Spooky 2]

Well it's sort of like all the other wierd noises the Bus makes. Between the hydraulics and the lights and the brakes, there is something to irritate just about everyone. Nice airplane to ride in but why couldn't they engineer some of these sounds out of the airplane?

[Sean Dell]

I'm pretty sure I've despatched with a landing light deployed (stuck). There was a slight fuel penalty, but as far as I remember, no speed or level restriction.
Never heard of a light detaching .....

[BOAC]

Does the AB not have fixed forward facing lights like the Boeing 'Inboard Landing Lights'? These are the ones that should be on to satisfy 'normal' SOPs at 10/whatever if req'd and the extendables as req'd eg with gear etc. Solves ALL the above queries.

[contractpilot69]

It doesn't have em'. That's why I made my previous post...

[Oceanic815Pilot]

Per our company's sop we put them on below 10. Nobody has ever complained.

[South Prince]

Do you have a defined SOP in your Company oceanic or is it randomly applied to instructors will?

[Oceanic815Pilot]

It is a defined reference with provisions for turning them off in low visibility conditions where their use would be counter productive.