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Basics About 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 illumination make all soaring structures noticeable to pilots and are usually utilized at night even though they can be utilized during daytime. The lamps have to be sufficiently bright to be visible while far. The lamps are normally in two common shades red and white xenon. The lights either flicker at predetermined intervals or are always on. The lamps where initially applied interchangeably but the recent regulations dictate that red lamps be used exclusively 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 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.

Development in lighting technology has resulted in invention of led obstruction light. The latest types are energy saving and are made to fit nearly everywhere around the world. The led lamps are a perfect substitute for incandescent lamps. They are free of maintenance, durable, and reliable. They are available in a wider scope, which consist of photocells, flashers, and relays so as to meet varied needs.

Warning light has its disadvantages. They contribute to light pollution in addition to killing birds. White strobes normally merge with the general lighting system of the surrounding hence confusing pilots. The confusion is the cause of most airplane accidents at night. White flashers are expensive to maintain as they require regular painting which comes at an extra 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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