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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Basics Concerning FAA Obstruction Lights

By Marcia Marks


FAA obstruction lights are found in various forms such as beacons and aircraft warning light. These lights are very important because they warn pilots of all tall structures that occupy airspace to avoid collision. The structures include antennas, bridges, buildings, towers, and cranes. ICAO and FAA are some of the organizations that are charged with the responsibility 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 light make every tall structure noticeable to pilots and are usually used at night even though they may be utilized in daytime. The lamps should be bright enough to be seen while far. The lights are usually in two colors red and white xenon. The red and white xenon lamps are either always lit or flicker at regular intervals. The illuminations were at first applied interchangeably but the new regulations require that red lights be used at night.

Red light is easily seen by pilots unlike white xenon flashers. There are several modes of obstruction light such as medium intensity, low intensity, and high intensity lamps. Medium intensity white lamps are installed on every structure that is over 200 feet up to 500 feet. It is a must that if medium white lamps are used on structures over 500 feet then they must be painted.

High intensity white xenon flashers are installed on structures above 500 feet. They offer high visibility both at nighttime and day. High intensity flashers flash forty times per minute at different intensities. The intensity decreases as nightfall approaches. They flickering intensity at sunset is 20000 candelas and 270000 candelas at daytime. The intensity decreases to 2000 candelas during nighttime.

Progress in lighting technology has seen the discovery of led obstruction lamps. The current types are electricity saving and are suitable nearly everywhere within the world. The led obstruction lamps are a perfect replacement for incandescent bulbs. They are durable, free of maintenance, and reliable. They come in a broader scope consisting of flashers, photocells, and relays to satisfy the varying 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 very important part of safety observance, which owners of soaring structures have to follow to prevent accidents. The lamps are made by many companies. Each firm attempts to vary its products so as to make a distinction of themselves. It is not easy for buyers to select from the various brands when shopping for these products and that is when the internet becomes useful. All the necessary details are available over their blogs on the internet.




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