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Basics Concerning FAA Obstruction Lights

By Marcia Marks


FAA obstruction lights are available in various forms like aircraft warning lights and beacons. These lights are important as they alert pilots of every tall structure that occupies airspace to prevent crashing. The structures include bridges, antennas, cranes, towers, and buildings. FAA and ICAO are some of the groups charged with the duty of setting standards of obstruction lights.

ICAO and FAA offer guidance on placement and selection of obstruction lighting accessories. They set standards for the accessories such as Night Vision Imaging Systems abbreviated as NVIS and Night Vision Goggles shortened as NVGs. It is advised that before buying any accessory all buyers should ensure that the goods meet the current FAA and ICAO standards. Buyers are advised to always insist on genuine or original accessories as they avoid counterfeits.

Aircraft warning illumination make structures visible to pilots and are normally used at night though they still can be used in daytime. The illuminations are supposed to be of adequate brightness to be visible from far. The lights are normally in two colors white xenon and red. The white xenon and red lamps are either constantly lit or flash at regular intervals. The lights were initially used interchangeably but the new rules demand that red lamps be used at night.

Red light is easily spotted by pilots from above as opposed to white xenon strobes. There are many types of obstruction lights including high intensity, low intensity, and medium intensity lamps. Medium intensity white flashers are applied on all structures between 200 to 500 feet. It is required that if medium white flashers are applied on structures that are above 500 feet then the structures have to be painted.

High intensity white flashers are applied on structures more than 500 feet. They provide high visibility both night and day. High intensity strobes flash forty times within a minute at varying intensities. The intensity reduces as darkness approaches. They flash at an intensity of 270000 candelas during daytime and 20000 candelas at sunset. The intensity reduces to 2000 candelas at night.

Advancement in lighting technology has led to introduction of led obstruction light. The latest versions are energy efficient and are designed to fit almost everywhere around the globe. Led obstruction lights are a good substitute for incandescent bulbs. They are durable, reliable and free of maintenance. They come in a wide range, which comprise of relays, flashers, and photocells in order to meet different needs.

Warning light has its limitations. They are part of light pollution besides killing birds. White strobes usually merge with the domestic lighting system within the neighborhood hence confusing pilots. The mix up that they create contributes greatly to aircraft accidents at nighttime. White strobes are expensive to maintain since they need frequent repainting which comes at an additional cost.

FAA obstruction lights are part of safety measures that owners of all tall buildings must adhere to in order to prevent accidents. These pieces of equipment are manufactured by several companies. Every company attempts to modify its accessories in order to distinguish themselves. It might not be easy for buyers to choose which brand to buy and this is when the internet becomes important. All the required information is available on their websites over the internet.




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