Does the nose light have to be a LANDING LIGHT? So what if it is only a TAKEOFF light... doesn't it put out a decent-enough amount of light to use during landing, in case both main landing lights are inop?

The MD80's nose light had two settings, DIM and BRIGHT. It never specified whether it was a landing or takeoff light, but we could use it on BRIGHT for either TO or LDG since it was bright enough for both. Can't that be the case for the A320 series too?

thanks,
73

P.s. As a side note, the MD80's wing retractable landing lights had an incredibly short life due to the vibration of the filaments against the airflow when extended. They also induced a rumbling in the main cabin that was quite noticeable down to about 180kts. Is this also true on A320?

A340/A330 nose wheel light has two positions, Taxi and take-off. Taxi for taxying and then using take-off for take-off, however for landing, the light switch is commanded into the taxi and not take-off position. Check FCOM, normal procedures, landing.

The reason is to do with the angle of the beam, and the approach angle/attitude of the aircraft, is that it will further reduce visibility in the take-off postion, if flying in rain, low vis stuff.

I have that from Airbus in writing.

Typical Airbus b.s.! If you have a nose light, let the PILOT decide when and how to use it, not the airplane.

Not wanting to be flippant here (well maybe I do), but wasn't there an anniversary today of the damn busters raid? Lancs flying from Blighty to Germany and back, not above 150' in order to avoid detection by radar, at night, using dead reckoning, in formation, and without even 1% of the kit we carry - and we are discussing ONE landing light being inoperative!

Please end this thread.

yeah, but you know even those crews were probably bitching about something mundane or other... so why screw with tradition?

Cheers!
73

I'm still wondering how the hell you got into an airliner without ever having done a night landing without lights!

I suppose you've never landed on a grass runway either?