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.")

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. 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.

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Aero-Tips 10.27.06

Here's a question I was asked on my most recent Flight Review: At a tower-controlled airport, the airport beacon is running during the day. What does this mean?

Possible answers:

1. Someone forgot to turn off the rotating beacon
2. The rotating beacon's daylight sensor and shutoff switch are broken
3. The airport is reporting Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)
4. Air Traffic Controllers are on duty and the tower is open
5. All of the above

Answer: Most likely (3): The airport is reporting Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). But the answer may really be (5): All of the above.

Sayeth the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM):

In Class B, C, D and Class E [at the] surface areas, operation of the airport beacon during daylight often indicates visibility less than 3 miles and/or ceiling less than 1,000 feet. Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance is required for landing, takeoff and flight in the traffic pattern.

However, pilots should not rely solely on the airport beacon to indicate if weather conditions are IMC or VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions). At some locations with operating control towers, ATC personnel turn the beacon on or off when controllers are in the tower regardless of conditions. At many airports the airport beacon is turned on by a photoelectric cell or time clocks and ATC personnel cannot control them. There is no regulatory requirement for beacon operation in daylight, and it is the pilot's responsibility to comply with proper weather-related preflight planning.

Aero-tip of the day: If the airport beacon at a controlled airport is operating during the day, ask controllers if the weather is marginal but not obviously IMC. It may indicate you need an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or Special VFR clearance to take off, land or fly in the traffic pattern.

FMI: Aero-Tips