ATS.TR.150 Aeronautical ground lights

PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION OF AERONAUTICAL GROUND LIGHTS

(a)Except as provided in point (b), all aeronautical ground lights should be operated:

(1)continuously during the hours of darkness or during the time the centre of the sun’s disc is more than 6 degrees below the horizon, whichever requires the longer period of operation, unless otherwise provided hereafter or otherwise required for the control of air traffic; and

(2)at any other time when their use, based on meteorological conditions, is considered desirable for the safety of air traffic.

(b)Lights on and in the vicinity of aerodromes that are not intended for en-route navigation purposes may be turned off, subject to further provisions hereafter, if no likelihood of either regular or emergency operation exists, provided that they can be again brought into operation at least one hour before the expected arrival of an aircraft.

(c)At aerodromes equipped with lights of variable intensity, a table of intensity settings, based on conditions of visibility and ambient light, should be provided for the guidance of air traffic services personnel in effecting adjustment of these lights to suit the prevailing conditions. When so requested by an aircraft, further adjustment of the intensity should be made whenever possible.

(d)In addition to point (a), approach lighting should also be operated:

(1)by day when requested by an approaching aircraft; and

(2)when the associated runway lighting is operated.

(e)The lights of a visual approach slope indicator system should be operated during the hours of daylight as well as of darkness and irrespective of the visibility conditions when the associated runway is being used.

(f)Runway lighting should not be operated if that runway is not in use for landing, take-off or taxiing purposes unless required for runway inspections or maintenance.

(g)If runway lighting is not operated continuously, lighting following a take-off should be provided as specified below:

(1)at aerodromes where air traffic control service is provided and where lights are centrally controlled, the lights of one runway should remain lighted after take-off as long as is considered necessary for the return of the aircraft due to an emergency occurring during or immediately after take-off;

(2)at aerodromes without air traffic control service or without centrally controlled lights, the lights of one runway should remain lighted until such time as would normally be required to reactivate the lights in the likelihood of the departing aircraft returning for an emergency landing, and in any case not less than 15 minutes after take-off.

(h)Stopway lights should be operated whenever the associated runway lights are operated.

(i)Where required to provide taxi guidance, taxiway lighting should be turned on in such order that a continuous indication of the taxi path is presented to taxiing aircraft. Taxiway lighting or any portion thereof may be turned off when no longer needed.

(j)Stop bars should be switched on to indicate that all traffic shall stop, and switched off to indicate that traffic may proceed.

(k)Obstacle lighting associated with the approach to or departure from a runway or channel, where the obstacle does not project through the inner horizontal surface, as described in the applicable aerodrome design specifications, may be turned off and on simultaneously with the runway or channel lights.

(l)Unserviceability lights should not be turned off as permitted under point (k) while the aerodrome is open.

(m)ATS personnel should make use of automatic monitoring facilities, when provided, to ascertain whether the lighting is in good order and functioning according to selection.

(n)In the absence of an automatic monitoring system or to supplement such a system, air traffic services personnel should visually observe such lighting as can be seen from the aerodrome control tower and use information from other sources such as visual inspections or reports from aircraft to maintain awareness of the operational status of the visual aids.

(o)On receipt of information indicating a lighting fault, air traffic services personnel should take such action as is warranted to safeguard any affected aircraft or vehicles, and initiate action to have the fault rectified.