Pilot Controlled Lighting On Sectional

Although standardisation and an improvement in the intensity of approach lighting would be great the ability to control the lights would be even better for a pilot with aging eyes.

Pilot controlled lighting on sectional.

Control of lighting systems. Pilots may request and in some cases control lighting themselves. Airport name associated city name high altitude u s. Airport identifier longest runway length to nearest 100 feet with 70 feet as the dividing point add 00 s indicates soft surface airport.

Pilot controlled lighting part time or on request for complete information consult the airport facility directory. Department of transportation federal aviation administration 800 independence avenue sw washington dc 20591 866 tell faa 866 835 5322. Pilot controlled lighting pcl systems are common at nontowered airports and towered airports in the wee hours after controllers have gone home. The control system consists of a 3 step control responsive to 7 5 and or 3 microphone clicks.

In reality the approach lights should be amongst the brightest lighting visible on the ground but sometimes the street lighting can exceed these in intensity. Operation of approach and runway lighting may be adjusted at the pilot s discretion and is generally controlled by the air traffic control tower atct. The airport facility directory contains descriptions of pilot controlled lighting systems for each airport having other than faa approved systems and explains the type lights method of control and operating frequency in clear text. At some locations where there is no control tower in operation the local flight service station fss may control the lights.