Evaluation of Threshold and Prethreshold Lights for Medium Intensity Approach Lighting Systems

Abstract

This report describes the evaluation of runway threshold lights for use with medium intensity approach lights with runway alignment indicator (strobe) lights (MALSR) systems. Three different lamps and fixtures were selected for final evaluation. Based on flight tests and photometric measurements, it was concluded that 300-watt, 300PAR56/NSP lamps would provide the improved visual guidance and conspicuity of the threshold necessary for operations in visibility conditions as low as Category I, 2,400 feet runway visual range (RVR). The green threshold lights spaced 10 feet apart with the outer lights inline with the runway edge lights will conform to ALSF-1 and ICAO criteria for Category I operations. A supplementary test was conducted to evaluate proposed configurations of red wing bar lights in the prethreshold area to augment the threshold lights for improved visual guidance. The test results concluded that, with the bold and distinctive threshold, red prethreshold wing bar lights did not provide appreciable improvement in guidance under the test conditions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1978
Accession Number
ADA063664

Entities

People

  • Guy S. Brown

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Approach Lights
  • Brightness
  • Candles
  • Elevation
  • Flight Testing
  • Guidance
  • Indicator Lights
  • Indicators
  • Intensity
  • Measurement
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Specifications
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Transformers
  • United States
  • Visual Approach Slope Indicators

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites