Reil Lights: A Guide to Understanding and Activating

When you're navigating through the skies, it's essential to know how to use reil lights to ensure a safe and successful landing. Reil lights are instrumental approach procedures (IAPs) that provide guidance to pilots during nighttime landings or low-visibility conditions. In this article, we'll delve into the world of reil lights, exploring what they are, how they work, and how to activate them.

What Are Reil Lights?

Reil lights are a type of approach lighting system that illuminates the runway in a series of steps, providing pilots with visual guidance during their descent. These systems can be found at public use airports with FAA-standard approach lighting installations. There are two types of reil lights: lower intensity (lower REIL) and medium or higher intensity (medium REIL).

How Do Reil Lights Work?

Reil lights work by using a specific frequency to activate the system. This frequency is usually provided in the Chart Supplement U.S., which contains information on the types of lighting, runway, and frequency used for activation. Pilots can use this frequency to key their microphone (within 5 seconds) as indicated in Table 2.

Activating Reil Lights

To activate reil lights, pilots should initially key their microphone three times to ensure all controlled lights are turned on at maximum intensity. If desired, they can adjust the intensity by keying the microphone five or three times, depending on the system's capabilities. Due to the proximity of airports using the same frequency, radio-controlled lighting receivers may require a low sensitivity setting, which means pilots need to be relatively close to activate the system.

Safety Precautions

It's crucial for pilots to follow specific safety procedures when flying over an airport with reil lights:

* Always key the microphone as directed when overflying an airport of intended landing or just prior to entering the final segment of an approach.

* Be aware that even when lights are on, you may need to be relatively close to activate the system.

Reil lights play a vital role in ensuring safe and successful landings during nighttime or low-visibility conditions. By understanding how reil lights work and following proper activation procedures, pilots can navigate through challenging weather conditions with confidence. Remember to always follow safety guidelines and check your Chart Supplement U.S. for specific information on activating reil lights at your destination airport.

References

* Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (n.d.). Chart Supplement U.S.

* FAA. (n.d.). Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs).

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of reil lights, covering their definition, functionality, and activation procedures. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, pilots can ensure safe and successful landings during nighttime or low-visibility conditions.