Centreline lighting - left or right of the line ?
Joined: Apr 2004
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 189
From: Dorset UK
Maybe the lights are on the centre line and it's the white line that is off centre.
Always thought the raised lights were for blind pilots so they use them like Braille.
Always thought the raised lights were for blind pilots so they use them like Braille.
Last edited by dixi188; 1st July 2015 at 12:59. Reason: Typo
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 43
From: In my own little world
I thought they were there to see if my haemorrhoid ointment was working.
Anybody know what height taxiway lights must be because in Belfast they have some absolutely enormous teeth loosening buggas.
Anybody know what height taxiway lights must be because in Belfast they have some absolutely enormous teeth loosening buggas.
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: 2 miles south of EGGD flight path. Lovely view of RWY 09 i/c aircraft.
Thank-you
I have for more years than I care to remember avidly browsed this forum and found it an excellent place to get a more in-depth understanding of aviation. This thread however is the first article that has ever made me laugh out loud. The quick-witted and wonderfully sharp sense of humour has been a pleasure to read. RAT 5, Bergerie1 et al please continue, your comments are appreciated. As an aside, I well remember being in the jump seat of a B757 (prior to 9/11) and hearing the thump, thump, thump as we accelerated down the runway.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 7
From: England
What I don't get is why the lights aren't on the painted centreline - why should there be separated? Back in the day, they weren't separated, were they?
Only possible reason - easier to paint the lines if you don't have to worry about the lights.
Only possible reason - easier to paint the lines if you don't have to worry about the lights.
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 129
From: Near Stuttgart, Germany
Why, indeed, are the lights not aligned with the painted markings?
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 20
From: Denver, Colorado, USA
FAA AC 150/5340-30H
Runway centerline lighting.
(1) Location. The runway centerline lights are located along the runway centerline at 50 ft. (15m) equally spaced longitudinal intervals. The longitudinal tolerance for runway centerline lights is ±2 ft. (0.6 meter). See Figure 33 for a graphic of the runway centerline lighting layout. The line of runway centerline lights may be uniformly offset laterally to the same side of the physical runway centerline a maximum of 2.5 ft. (0.8 m) (tolerance ±1 inch (25.4 mm) measured from the physical runway centerline to the fixture centerline. For any new runway, the light base installation must be no closer than 2 ft. (0.6 m) (measured to the edge of the fixture base) to any pavement joints. Runway extensions of existing runways must use
the convention already established for that runway. See paragraph 4.3 and Figure 45 for additional information about the taxiway centerline lighting location requirements related to runway centerline lights for major taxiway turnoffs. See AC 150/5340-1 for additional information about runway centerline marking widths and location.
Runway centerline lighting.
(1) Location. The runway centerline lights are located along the runway centerline at 50 ft. (15m) equally spaced longitudinal intervals. The longitudinal tolerance for runway centerline lights is ±2 ft. (0.6 meter). See Figure 33 for a graphic of the runway centerline lighting layout. The line of runway centerline lights may be uniformly offset laterally to the same side of the physical runway centerline a maximum of 2.5 ft. (0.8 m) (tolerance ±1 inch (25.4 mm) measured from the physical runway centerline to the fixture centerline. For any new runway, the light base installation must be no closer than 2 ft. (0.6 m) (measured to the edge of the fixture base) to any pavement joints. Runway extensions of existing runways must use
the convention already established for that runway. See paragraph 4.3 and Figure 45 for additional information about the taxiway centerline lighting location requirements related to runway centerline lights for major taxiway turnoffs. See AC 150/5340-1 for additional information about runway centerline marking widths and location.
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,507
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From: last time I looked I was still here.
I've noticed over the many years of observation that many F/O's land right of centreline. I asked many, why? The best answer I had was "I didn't want to break the lights, and I'm saving the white paint so it lasts longer." Can't argue with that.
It's a bit like the Air UK F27 crew who landed wheels up: why? "Our pay rise was denied due to increased costs so I was trying to save tyre wear."
It's a bit like the Air UK F27 crew who landed wheels up: why? "Our pay rise was denied due to increased costs so I was trying to save tyre wear."
Last edited by RAT 5; 3rd July 2015 at 19:42.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 2
From: In a far better place
Anyone know what dictates whether runway centerline lights are put to the left or right of the centerline marking ?
Anyway, real pilots don't need center line lighting.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 37
From: Germany
Now that is an interesting question! I have never noticed whether they are on the south or the north side. Can anyone enlighten us?
amazing thread