Counting lights to call "RW VACATED"
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: 'tween posts
Counting lights to call "RW VACATED"
Warm Greetings to all,
Here is something that often comes up in crew conversation and strongly debated
the question is:
During LVO ops, after landing and as one is vacating the runway we sight alternating green and yellow lights and :
option 1- once we sight all green lights we report runway vacated" - (most documented)
option 2 - once we sight all green lights keep rolling and count out 6 to 7 all green lights ( depending on how big your aircraft is) to ensure your aircraft tail is clear of the ILS sensitive area and then report "runway vacated" - (appears logical cannot find documented evidence)
Can the wise folks here share some light on the evolution of this procedure and is there any merit / documentary evidence to support these.
Apreciate your inputs in this regard.
Here is something that often comes up in crew conversation and strongly debated
the question is:
During LVO ops, after landing and as one is vacating the runway we sight alternating green and yellow lights and :
option 1- once we sight all green lights we report runway vacated" - (most documented)
option 2 - once we sight all green lights keep rolling and count out 6 to 7 all green lights ( depending on how big your aircraft is) to ensure your aircraft tail is clear of the ILS sensitive area and then report "runway vacated" - (appears logical cannot find documented evidence)
Can the wise folks here share some light on the evolution of this procedure and is there any merit / documentary evidence to support these.
Apreciate your inputs in this regard.
Last edited by gearpins; 29th March 2025 at 23:47.

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 543
Likes: 338
From: Blue sky
That said, I know on some airports controllers might be pushing because approach likes to sequence traffic almost as if there is no LVO ops. But these guys have ground radars, they can see when you have vacated. If they start shouting, they know where you are. Which shouldn't make you rush in any way on the other hand.

Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 492
From: Europe
CAP 413 has a very clear picture defining the word 'vacated' in chapter 11. Look it up.
Anyway, it's common sense isn't it? Merely sighting green lights isn't going to cut it when you are in the pointy end of an A340-600.
Anyway, it's common sense isn't it? Merely sighting green lights isn't going to cut it when you are in the pointy end of an A340-600.

Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 492
From: Europe
Thanks!
And to further what BraceBrace wrote, don’t loose sight of the big picture. Literally. Counting lights might impress someone in the simulator, but it does nothing to adres the actual real life threats you face on the ground when exiting a runway in dense fog.
And to further what BraceBrace wrote, don’t loose sight of the big picture. Literally. Counting lights might impress someone in the simulator, but it does nothing to adres the actual real life threats you face on the ground when exiting a runway in dense fog.





