Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Flight Deck Forums > Tech Log
Reload this Page >

A320 navigation lights, how do you use them, do you alternate between sys 1 and sys 2

Tech Log The very best in practical technical discussion on the web

A320 navigation lights, how do you use them, do you alternate between sys 1 and sys 2

Old 23rd Dec 2017, 08:34
  #41 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Horsted Keynes, West Sussex.
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for that one FlightDetent.. As a Grd. Eng. it's a bit of a nuisance for us having Nav Lts "As Req'd" , because that means that some flight deck crews switch them off and some guys leave 'em on . Neither of which is wrong according to the C/L.
But as an earlier contributor remarked , they're best left on all the time except for during prolonged maint. periods.
Having the F/D crews switch them off and then switched on again is the best way to pop a filament and they will be switched on again anyway by Engineers as it's part of the Daily Check.
As far as I'm concerned , leaving nav. lights on the same system continuously is best by far. Then if one is spotted as inop at a base-stn , it can be re-lamped , or if down route , it can be MEL'd .


I don't wish to delve too far into SOP's or their politics , although one does sometimes wonder if they're the product of knowledge and experience , or concocted by self-important little career monkeys.
Chris Martyr is offline  
Old 30th Dec 2017, 10:15
  #42 (permalink)  

Only half a speed-brake
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Commuting not home
Age: 46
Posts: 4,302
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Chris, could you confirm what are the prescribed checks/task for DY and WY with regards to NAV lt?

Similar to many times before, the information a qualified engineer could provide would settle a circular argument. . Thanks.
FlightDetent is offline  
Old 30th Dec 2017, 12:53
  #43 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
Posts: 6,207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It so reassuring that there are people with such a vice like grip on the truly trivial.
A and C is online now  
Old 30th Dec 2017, 15:12
  #44 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
Age: 71
Posts: 3,407
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Why isn’t it swapped automatically?
galaxy flyer is offline  
Old 31st Dec 2017, 11:45
  #45 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: France
Age: 47
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just one small point .The golden days of aviation did not have the golden and super hi tech aircrafts that we have nowadays requiring no skills. Therefore comparing accidents rates with a new generation super advanced aicraft to an old piece of metal is lying.

The only skill required to get to the right hand seat of an airliner is a finger . Why a finger ?
1) count the money to pay the airline that gives you the privilege to pseudo fly
2) Most importantly engage the autopilot

Therefore Accident rates reduction cannot be put on the back of SOPs.

For example GPWS has greatly reduced CFIT and this is recognized by all aviation institution IATA etc..

So we are talking about technology.

What amazes me is in case of LVP and Autoland , Captain still believes he was pilot flying.

I suggest to remove as required from SOPs and give details when required as NG pilots are unable to determine when required.

Last edited by Citation2; 31st Dec 2017 at 11:58.
Citation2 is offline  
Old 31st Dec 2017, 13:42
  #46 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 776
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
galaxy flyer: Steady on old boy! Don't give Airbus any more ideas on how to complicate an aircraft. You will end up with a NavLt Computer sychronised to the earth's day/night cycle via the GPS clock but also untimately fitted with a Manual Override Swich marked ON/OFF!
Meikleour is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 08:29
  #47 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do you mean ON-AUTO-OFF like the strobe light switch?
Check Airman is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 10:23
  #48 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wanderlust
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why isn’t it swapped automatically?
If igniters, CPC, LGCIU can be swapped automatically this one is no big deal. But it's minor item may not be worth the effort.
vilas is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 11:10
  #49 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: away from home
Posts: 887
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why fit a dual NAV LT system at all? Adds complexity and (minor) weight. For redundancy of a low-tech system. I don't recall ever having had MEL issues due to NAV LTs.
oceancrosser is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 11:43
  #50 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
In our MEL (I’m presuming it’s due to EASA legislation) we need at least one working set of nav lights to fly at night.. if we only had one system then a busted bulb and no spare would mean being grounded until the sun came up.
EGPFlyer is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 11:48
  #51 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Chris Martyr

I think it’s ‘as required’ because you don’t need landing lights or nav lights during daylight. You could have a situation where you are flying with them inop in accordance with the MEL and you would have them off.
EGPFlyer is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 15:44
  #52 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now at Home
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@ Chris Martyr
...or concocted by self-important little career monkeys.... EXCELLENT

Last edited by Airbus_a321; 1st Jan 2018 at 15:45. Reason: Typo
Airbus_a321 is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 19:25
  #53 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IRS NAV ONLY
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by EGPFlyer
if we only had one system then a busted bulb and no spare would mean being grounded until the sun came up.
You could have one system with two bulbs at each position that operate in parallel at all times.
FlyingStone is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 19:43
  #54 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Indeed, but then you’ve 6 bulbs operating all the time instead of 3 so you’ll need to replace them more often.
EGPFlyer is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 20:20
  #55 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
At a probably trivial cost. The advantage is that when a bulb fails, there's already a bulb lit at the corresponding position/color instead of running dark until the next walkaround catches it.
Vessbot is offline  
Old 1st Jan 2018, 20:42
  #56 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
Age: 71
Posts: 3,407
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
I think the Global has a auto system changing the two LEDs at each position. For sure, no control switch and two bulbs.
galaxy flyer is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.