AIM 

4/20/23

 

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12

Airport Lighting Aids

a.

With FAA approved systems, various combinations of medium intensity approach lights, runway lights,

taxiway lights, VASI and/or REIL may be activated by radio control. On runways with both approach lighting
and runway lighting (runway edge lights, taxiway lights, etc.) systems, the approach lighting system takes
precedence for air

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to

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ground radio control over the runway lighting system which is set at a predetermined

intensity step, based on expected visibility conditions. Runways without approach lighting may provide radio
controlled intensity adjustments of runway edge lights. Other lighting systems, including VASI, REIL, and
taxiway lights may be either controlled with the runway edge lights or controlled independently of the runway
edge lights.

b.

The control system consists of a 3

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step control responsive to 7, 5, and/or 3 microphone clicks. This 3

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step

control will turn on lighting facilities capable of either 3

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step, 2

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step or 1

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step operation. The 3

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step and 2

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step

lighting facilities can be altered in intensity, while the 1

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step cannot. All lighting is illuminated for a period of

15 minutes from the most recent time of activation and may not be extinguished prior to end of the 15 minute
period (except for 1

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step and 2

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step REILs which may be turned off when desired by keying the mike 5 or 3

times respectively).

c.

Suggested use is to always initially key the mike 7 times; this assures that all controlled lights are turned

on to the maximum available intensity. If desired, adjustment can then be made, where the capability is provided,
to a lower intensity (or the REIL turned off) by keying 5 and/or 3 times. Due to the close proximity of airports
using the same frequency, radio controlled lighting receivers may be set at a low sensitivity requiring the aircraft
to be relatively close to activate the system. Consequently, even when lights are on, always key mike as directed
when overflying an airport of intended landing or just prior to entering the final segment of an approach. This
will assure the aircraft is close enough to activate the system and a full 15 minutes lighting duration is available.
Approved lighting systems may be activated by keying the mike (within 5 seconds) as indicated in TBL 2

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1

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3.

TBL 2

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1

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3

Radio Control System

Key Mike

Function

7 times within 5 seconds

Highest intensity available

5 times within 5 seconds

Medium or lower intensity
(Lower REIL or REIL

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off)

3 times within 5 seconds

Lowest intensity available
(Lower REIL or REIL

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off)

d.

For all public use airports with FAA standard systems the Chart Supplement U.S. contains the types of

lighting, runway and the frequency that is used to activate the system. Airports with IAPs include data on the
approach chart identifying the light system, the runway on which they are installed, and the frequency that is used
to activate the system.

NOTE

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Although the CTAF is used to activate the lights at many airports, other frequencies may also be used. The appropriate
frequency for activating the lights on the airport is provided in the Chart Supplement U.S. and the standard instrument
approach procedures publications. It is not identified on the sectional charts.

e.

Where the airport is not served by an IAP, it may have either the standard FAA approved control system

or an independent type system of different specification installed by the airport sponsor. The Chart Supplement
U.S. 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.

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9. Airport/Heliport Beacons

a.

Airport and heliport beacons have a vertical light distribution to make them most effective from one to ten

degrees above the horizon; however, they can be seen well above and below this peak spread. The beacon may
be an omnidirectional capacitor

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discharge device, or it may rotate at a constant speed which produces the visual

effect of flashes at regular intervals. Flashes may be one or two colors alternately. The total number of flashes
are: