Aircraft Lighting System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of navigation lights on an aircraft?

To mark the extremities of an aircraft and give position reference (correct)

To assist in the evacuation of passengers and crew in an emergency

To illuminate the wings for ice inspection

To provide illumination for landing and taxiing in poor visibility

What is the purpose of the landing and taxi lights on an aircraft?

To illuminate the wings for ice inspection

To provide illumination for night landing and taxiing (correct)

To mark the position of the aircraft with flashing lights

To assist in the evacuation of passengers and crew in an emergency

What is the color of the navigation lights on the left and right wingtips of a Boeing 737?

Left wingtip is white, right wingtip is white

Left wingtip is blue, right wingtip is yellow

Left wingtip is green, right wingtip is red

Left wingtip is red, right wingtip is green (correct)

How many landing lights are installed on a Boeing 737 aircraft?

4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the flare-out lights and runway turn-off lights mentioned in the text?

To provide additional illumination for landing and taxiing operations Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the white navigation light located on the tail of the aircraft?

To mark the rear of the aircraft and indicate its orientation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of wing illumination lights on an aircraft?

To scan the wings and engines for ice detection. Signup and view all the answers

How many exterior lights illuminate the escape slide areas for the forward and aft doors on an aircraft?

Four Signup and view all the answers

Where are the wing illumination lights typically mounted on an aircraft?

Forward of the wing leading edge on each side of the fuselage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of cargo loading lights on an aircraft?

To assist with loading cargo at night. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the control panel for external lights usually located on an aircraft?

On the lower overhead panel. Signup and view all the answers

Which area is NOT illuminated by the emergency escape slide lights on an aircraft?

Tail section of the aircraft. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the master caution annunciators?

To illuminate the master caution lights and indicate specific faults Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the passenger service unit (PSU)?

Cabin temperature control Signup and view all the answers

How are the reading lights controlled?

By a touch-control button on the passenger panel Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'Reading Reset' switch on the attendant panel?

To switch off all reading lights in one action Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the 'Reading Reset' switch is operated?

The reading lights supply is broken for 16 seconds, then restored in the off state Signup and view all the answers

How are all reading lights turned on for inspection?

By using the 'Read Lights Test' switch on a maintenance and test panel Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Attendant Call System?

To allow passengers to call an attendant from their seat or lavatory Signup and view all the answers

What powers the emergency exit lighting system?

Battery packs Signup and view all the answers

How are attendants alerted when a call is made from the lavatory?

The 'Area Call Lights Aft' and 'Fwd' stations indicate which lavatory the call came from Signup and view all the answers

Where are the emergency exit lights located?

In both the flight and passenger compartments Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the floor proximity lighting?

To provide visual guidance for cabin evacuation when smoke obscures overhead lighting Signup and view all the answers

What components are included in the emergency exit lighting system?

Exit signs, egress paths, and external lights for doors and overwing hatches Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the illuminated arrows on the floor proximity lighting system?

To indicate the location of emergency exits Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal in-flight position of the switch that controls the emergency lighting system?

ARMED Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition for the transistor Q1 to turn on and enable the emergency lighting system?

Both a and c are correct Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the emergency lighting system switch is in the 'ON' position?

The battery packs are not charged, and the 6V lights are on Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the emergency lighting system ensures that it operates when the main electrical power is lost?

The battery power supply units Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'NOT ARMED' warning light on the flight deck?

To indicate that the switch is in the 'OFF' or 'ON' position during flight Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

External Lighting

Navigation lights: mark aircraft extremities, provide position reference, and consist of red light on left wingtip, green light on right wingtip, and white light on tail
Flashing lights: mark aircraft position
Landing and taxiing lights: provide forward and lateral illumination for landing and taxiing in night or poor visibility conditions
Wing illumination lights: illuminate wings for ice inspection
Emergency lights: assist in passenger and crew evacuation in emergency landings

Also called position lights
Red on left wingtip, green on right wingtip, and white on tail
Operate on 28V DC or 115V AC

Landing and Taxi Lights

Provide illumination for landing and taxiing in night or poor visibility conditions
600W for landing and 250W for taxiing
Two fixed lights on wing leading edges near fuselage and two retractable lights in outboard flap track fairing on Boeing 737 aircraft
Retractable lights shine forward regardless of flap position
Each light has two filaments mounted in tandem, pivoted on its own axis, and rotated by a motor

Wing Illumination Lights

Two lights on each side of fuselage forward of wing leading edge
Used for ice detection in flight and to illuminate immediate area on ground

Emergency Escape Slide Lights

Four exterior lights illuminate escape slide areas for forward and aft entry and forward and aft service doors
Additional four lights illuminate overwing escape doors and areas just aft of wing trailing edge

External Lighting Control Panel

Normally located on the lower overhead panel

Internal Lighting

Illuminates consoles/control panels, passenger compartments, and information signs
Warning lights indicate system-operating condition
Emergency lighting receives inputs from fault annunciators to illuminate master caution lights and master caution annunciators

Passenger Compartment Lighting

Ceiling and window lights illuminate passenger compartment
Entry and threshold lights provide lighting for doorways
Other cabin lighting systems include lavatory lights, reading lights, passenger information signs, and attendant call system

Passenger Service Unit (PSU)

Contains reading lights, fasten seat belt and no smoking signs, attendant call button, air conditioning fans, life vest storage, and oxygen mask storage

Reading Lights

Each passenger has a reading light with a touch-control button on passenger panel to switch on or off
Reading reset switch on attendant panel switches off all reading lights in one action
When operated, reading lights supply is broken for 16 seconds only and remains off but ready for 'ON' selection

Attendant Call System

Attendant can be called from each passenger station through 'ATT.CALL' touch button
Action brings on a light in 'Area Call Lights Aft' and 'FWD' stations
Chime on PA system also alerts the action
Reset is achieved by a second touch at 'ATT CALL' switch
Operation of a switch in either lavatory calls an attendant in similar fashion and identifies which lavatory the call was made from

Emergency Exit Lighting

Automatically illuminates exit signs and egress paths when normal lighting system power is lost
Powered by battery packs and located in flight and passenger compartments
Includes external lights used to illuminate escape routes from doors and overwing hatches
Floor proximity lighting provides visual guidance for cabin evacuation when all sources of cabin lighting above four feet is obscured by smoke

Emergency Lighting Operation

Emergency lights (6V) are fed from battery packs trickle charged from aircraft main electrical system
The system operates under three conditions:
- OFF: battery packs are charged, 6V lights remain off even in main electrical power loss
- ARMED: normal in-flight position, 6V lights operate only when main electrical power is lost
- ON: battery packs are not charged, 6V lights operate even with main electrical power available

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Description

This quiz provides an overview of the lighting systems used in aircraft, including external lights such as navigation lights, flashing lights, landing and taxiing lights, and lights for ice inspection. It covers the importance of lighting in aircraft operation and safety.