.

Obstruction Lighting Is An Essential Part Of Preventing Aviation Collisions

By Cornelia White


Aviation obstruction lighting originally appeared on prominent structures of many different types in the 1930s. A result of the advancement of ongoing night time flights, it quickly came to be a complete essential. In an endeavor to guard ground personnel, the lives of pilots and essential equipment, cautioning programs were applied. Consequently, effective methods, strict rules and enforcement regulations will proceed to be introduced to assure the basic safety of anyone concerned.

In essence, obstruction lighting simply consists of warning lights to prevent collisions between aircraft and a variety of objects on the ground. For example, radio, television and cell phone towers are made to be more visible through the use of devices that emit high-intensity light. While these lighting systems are most notable when used at night, they are also used on many tall structures during the daytime as well.

While humans on the land may typically not give it a lot of thought, there are actually numerous hazardous elements that aviators must cope with on an every day basis. Besides communications towers, there are countless other objects that must be avoided such as industrial chimney smokestacks, wind turbines and overly tall buildings. Even some lesser structures call for lights when close to airfields where aircraft fly very low.

Many of the guidelines for usage are developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization. In general, their standards are acknowledged in most countries around the globe. With a system of consistent regulations, it is much simpler to enforce compliance, protect public safety and prevent dangerous collisions. By implementing the same sets of procedures internationally, the potential for confusion is significantly reduced.

For decades, various light systems have been engineered. The systems used will vary substantially, based on every different individual purpose. Quite a few obstacles will demand one lone beacon lamp. It commonly is recommended for bigger hazards to be outfitted with a number of lights situated in precise layouts. Many times, a pilot can ascertain the individual type, together with the height, of a harmful object.

These warning beacon systems can be powered by a wide variety of light sources. In recent years, LED technology has been applied extensively throughout the aviation warning field. However, some arrangements still rely on lamps such as common incandescent, metal halide or high pressure sodium. In any case, they are all specially designed to ensure adequate longevity, sufficient reliability and high intensity.

In most cases, these beacons are chiefly red or white. The hue is ordinarily dictated by a mix of factors that could involve particular location, overall height and structure type. A white colored light may not be advisable in certain urban regions, because it could blend in with business oriented and domestic backgrounds. Still, they are very often used far and wide in many rural locations.

It is a prerequisite for high structures to possess obstruction lighting that is compliant to standardized regulations. The standards are essential to provide ease of navigation, basic public safety and safe flying conditions. These systems are definitely vital in avoiding potential life threatening injuries, heavy economic losses and severe property damage.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment