Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation
so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it
all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as
representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have
heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we
might never have considered before, or something that didn't
"stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for
the practical test.
It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers
become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our
ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those
strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow
them to soar magnificently through it.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are
always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips.
Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this
together.
Aero-Tips 01.05.06
Most airports
don’t have the traffic or budget to warrant leaving runway
lights on all night. When towers are closed, and in almost
all cases at non-towered airports, you will likely be responsible
for turning on approach and runway lights for your arrival or
departure.
To activate pilot-controlled lighting:
- Check the Airport Facility Directory (AFD), instrument approach
plates or other resources for a description of pilot-controlled
lighting, and frequencies and instructions for its use (Note:
the CTAF is not always the frequency to use, and the lighting
frequency is not published on Sectional charts)
- When departing at night, activate the runway lights before
taxiing onto the runway
- When arriving at night and within about 15 miles of the
airport, active runway and/or approach lights with seven clicks of
the push-to-talk within five seconds, when tuned to the proper
frequency
- Activate the lights again just as you enter the pattern, or as
you cross the final approach fix inbound, to keep the lights from
going out while you’re close to the ground
When activated, lights will illuminate for 15 minutes.
Runway and approach lights cannot be deactivated during this
period. Runway Edge Identification Lights (REILs) can often
be “stepped” in intensity by clicking three, five or
seven times, and can be turned off or re-set during the 15 minute
illumination time. The AFD recommends always clicking the
push-to-talk seven times to insure controlled lights are set to
their maximum intensity.
Aero-Tip of the day: Review the AFD or
other sources for a description of and frequencies for
pilot-controlled lighting at your intended and alternate
airports.
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