Runway centerline lights
 

For the gurus out there and sorry if it has been asked before but i couldn t find the answer via the search funtion
Is there any rule why the centerline lights are positioned onto the left or right of the centerline?
Any official paper?

Many thanks

Baobab

So you don't hit them with the nosewheel. Which I still do sometimes. Keep in mind also that the left/right thing is runway direction-dependent.

You say tomato, I say centre
 

There was a recent discussion here in Tech Log on that subject. Have another go, or wait, tis here.

Of course, you could just read A of G's reply above which covers it short and sweet.

The Heathrow runway centreline lights were offset so that only Tridents would hit them. :O

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...Advert1971.jpg

It wouldn't really be a Centreline if it was offset, would it?!

The actual reason is... on concrete runways there is usually a pavement joint running right down the runway centerline.

For structural reasons runway lights must not be installed at pavement joints, so the lights must be offset a minimum of 2 ft and a maximum of 2.5 ft from the centerline joint (FAA requirement). The direction of the offset is up to the designer; it is usually selected to minimize equipment / wiring costs.

For official specs see FAA AC 150/5340-30E, Chapter 3. "RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND TOUCHDOWN LIGHTING SYSTEMS".

So they don't paint over the lights when they paint the centreline.

Exactly how much, if any, wire is saved by installing these lights left or right of the centerline.

I was told it was up to 42 meters but no less than 26 meters.