Night Operations and Lighting

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The types of lighting suitable for normal use by RFDS are:

• Fixed electric runway lights connected to a mains supply (or generator), or portable solar charged battery powered electric runway lights, both of a type approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), plus an illuminated wind direction indicator (wind sock) - see para 6.1.
• Dry cell or rechargeable battery powered runway lights of an approved type.
• Liquid (diesel or kerosene) fuelled wick fed flares, used in conjunction with dry cell or rechargeable battery powered runway end lights.

The layout for these lighting systems is shown in the following diagram (insert Fig 7 from Airstrips Standard).
Professional advice should be sought for design and installation of mains powered lighting and is advised for solar charged battery powered airstrip lighting systems.  These two types of airstrip lighting can be fitted with a pilot activated lighting (PAL) system.

Emergency Operations

In an emergency, types of lighting that may be used are:

• Battery powered white lights or liquid fuelled flares described in paras (b) and (c) above.
• Cans, such as large powdered milk cans, part filled with sand and fuelled with diesel or kerosene and ignited with the help of a small charge of petrol.
• In special cases, reflectors used in combination with 8 runway lights.
• Car headlights.

Last Updated: 16/08/2007