Anti-Collision Lighting on Manned Aircraft

How to Interpret Aircraft Anti-Collision Lighting and Flight Direction

Manned aircraft use a combination of lights to indicate their position and movement, helping other pilots and observers determine their trajectory and orientation from the sky as well as the ground.

Step 1: Identifying the Left and Right Sides of an Aircraft

    To begin, let’s clarify the orientation of an aircraft from the pilot’s perspective.

    Inside the cockpit, the left side of the aircraft is referred to as the port side, while the right side is known as the starboard side.

    This distinction helps in understanding the placement and meaning of the aircraft’s navigation lights. In the visual aid below, you’ll see the cockpit view with the left side clearly marked as port and the right side as starboard.

    This orientation is consistent across all aircraft so that no matter where you are, you can accurately interpret the aircraft’s lighting signals based on this standard layout.

    Step 2: Aircraft Light Colors and Their Meaning

    Steady Red Light:
    Located on the left wingtip, indicating the aircraft’s port (left) side.

    Steady Green Light:
    Located on the right wingtip, indicating the aircraft’s starboard (right) side.

    *Flashing Red Light*:
    The f    lashing red light is usually on the top or bottom of the aircrafts body.

    *Flashing White Strobe*:
    Found on the aircraft’s tail, indicating the aircraft’s rear.

    Determining Aircraft Direction Based on Lights

    Scenario 1: Crossing to Your Left

      During a night flight you observe a steady red light and a flashing red light. What is the general direction of movement of the other aircraft?

      If you see a steady red light and a flashing red light, it indicates the aircraft is crossing to your left.

      Scenario 2: Crossing to your Right

        During a night flight, you see a steady green light and a flashing red light. How can you determine the direction of the aircraft’s movement?

        If you observe a steady green light and a flashing red light it indicates that the aircraft is crossing to your right.

        Scenario 3: Aircraft Approaching You

          If you see both solid red and green lights, the aircraft is heading towards you.

          Scenario 4: Aircraft Moving Away from You

            If you observe only the white strobe light on the tail of an aircraft, it means the aircraft is moving away from you.

            The white strobe light, typically found on the tail, is designed to make the aircraft visible from behind.

            Flash Cards

            Port =

            Left

            Starboard =

            Right

            Location of Steady Red Light

            Right Wingtip

            Location of Steady Green Light

            Left Wingtip

            Location of Flashing Red Light

            Top or Bottom of Aircraft

            Location of Flashing White Strobe Light

            Tail of Aircraft

            You see both a steady red and green light

            Aircraft direction?

            Flying towards you

            You see a green light and a white flashing light

            Aircraft direction?

            Crossing to your right

            Practice Quiz

            Anti-Collision Lighting

            1 / 6

            From the pilot’s perspective, which side of the aircraft is referred to as the port side?

            2 / 6

            From the cockpit view, what is the term used for the right side of the aircraft?

            3 / 6

            During a night flight, you see an aircraft with a steady green light and a flashing red light. What direction is the aircraft flying?

            4 / 6

            If you see a steady red light on the left wingtip and a flashing red light on the top of the aircraft, what is the general direction of the aircraft’s movement?

            5 / 6

            If you see an aircraft with a steady red light on the left wingtip and a steady green light on the right wingtip, what does this indicate?

            6 / 6

            When you observe only the white strobe light on the tail of an aircraft, what does this mean about the aircraft’s direction?

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            The average score is 70%

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